Policy Area Culture

The objective of the Action is to strengthen the competitiveness of the cultural and creative sectors of the region through macro-regional cooperation. These sectors are seen as one of the drivers of economy. They are gaining importance also for regional development. Many creative sectors are characterized by a large number of micro-sized enterprises and self-employment with all related problems.

Cooperation among Baltic Sea Region countries’ creative sectors will help to share the creative potential across the whole region and contribute to its faster and more coherent economic development. Pooling and complementing resources and joint marketing initiatives are suitable means to increase international visibility.

The main objective of the Action 2 is to present the diversity, quality and attractiveness of Baltic Sea Region culture and arts in all its variety and complexity. By this, Policy Area Culture strives to strengthen and support the European project and to promote European values. Another objective is to trigger innovation in economy and society by cultural interventions. Activities promoting culture as a driver for social innovation and sustainable living must strengthen civil society and its institutions.

Fostering cultural exchange and cooperation shall serve the cultural sector in itself and help promoting the Baltic Sea Region as an attractive cultural region. An important instrument for these aims is addressing the citizens of the region directly, with special focus on young generations. The nomination of a “Baltic Sea Cultural City” shall foster people-to-people contacts and exchange and cooperation on a level besides day-to-day topics. A rough concept was developed by the Policy Area stakeholders and will be regularlay reviewed. As an obstacle for a more vivid cultural exchange, the lack of accessible and low-threshold funding for small scale actions showed up. The further development of an instrument filling this gap will be pushed and promoted by the Policy Area.

This Action aims at increasing the societal and economic value of cultural heritage through innovative and visitor-friendly presentations of heritage sites and museums, thus also contributing to strengthening the regional identity.

Another objective of the Action is to focus on the cultural and historic roots of the Baltic Sea Region, which are fundamental for mutual understanding, coexistence and cooperation. Overall objective of this action is to preserve the cultural heritage of the Baltic Sea Region on land and under water. The Action aims at facilitating the management of the region’s cultural heritage and promoting public interest in and access to these assets. The cultural heritage of the region has a high non-material and economic value for the overall attractiveness of the region for inhabitants and tourists. Transnational projects addressing the common cultural heritage, traditions and history of the region assist people in getting aware of regional cultural resources and provide
essence for CCS products.