*Photo author: Andras Kralla

Held as part of the EUSBSR Annual Forum, the event brought together city mayors, regional leaders, policymakers, youth, and project partners, with a strong presence of Ukrainian representatives. Their experience added to a clear perspective that resilience is not something to plan for later but something to manage in real time. Discussions moved quickly from general statements to practical questions: how to ensure that systems continue to function under pressure, how to maintain services, and how to respond when every minute matters.

Opening the event, Tallinn’s Mayor Peeter Raudsepp emphasised that resilience starts with people. In the context of demographic challenges, cities and regions must not only provide services, but also strengthen communities capable of acting, supporting each other, and adapting when needed.

BSSSC Chair Inese Suija-Markova framed resilience through three interlinked elements - trust, a shared understanding of risks, and action. “Each one makes the next possible. None of them works without the other two,” she noted, adding that resilience cannot be governed from a single level and depends on cooperation across local, regional, national, and European actors.

Inese Suija-Markova emphasized,“We are not lacking ideas or competences in the regions. There are talented people and experience. However, to fully realise this potential, consistent and timely action is needed.”

In her address, Dr. Heini Utunen, Mayor of the South Savo Regional Council in Finland, noted that many regions across the Baltic Sea Region are currently operating alongside ongoing geopolitical tensions, which affect both economic development and patterns of cooperation. This reality requires constant adjustment by identifying new development pathways, strengthening partnerships, and restructuring economies based on available resources.

The programme of the day was built around thematic presentations that, step by step, outlined key challenges and possible responses,from climate resilience and security to social innovation and cooperation. Each initiative carried a clear call for action within its respective field, and together they formed a shared vision by the end of the day. This highlighted the need to better integrate climate resilience into security planning, strengthen cross-border cooperation and place greater focus on practical, well-funded solutions in regions.

“Urban resilience is built by combining long-term planning with the capacity to respond in times of crisis. On the one hand, this means green infrastructure and climate adaptation solutions; on the other — first responders and crisis management. Integrating these approaches makes cities more flexible and better prepared for different scenarios, while also strengthening cooperation across sectors and levels of governance,” said Mariia Andreeva, Union of the Baltic Cities - Sustainable Cities Commission ClimaResponse project.

A clear message resonated throughout the discussions: preparation cannot be postponed until a crisis is already underway. It must be built in advance through everyday work and systems that are able to function even under pressure.

“Resilience starts with people and communities. In times of crisis, communities are often the first point of support, both as ‘first responders’ and in providing what could be called the last mile of support on the ground. In this sense, resilience is not only about institutional preparedness, but also about participation, mutual trust and the ability to act,” emphasised Inese Vaivare, Director of the Latvian Platform for Development Cooperation.

Panel discussions also highlighted a gap between the places where resilience challenges are most visible and the level at which decisions are made, particularly in border regions. At the same time, growing societal polarisation and declining trust, further amplified by social media, make coordinated action increasingly difficult.

The role of youth was also underlined. Resilient societies are built where young people feel a sense of belonging and see their future in the region. This requires not only opportunities, but also meaningful involvement in decision-making and cross-border cooperation.

Particular attention was given to islands and remote regions, which are increasingly seen as important actors in the energy transition. In these areas, energy is not only a matter of climate policy, but also of security, connectivity, and economic development. Sulev Alajõe, Managing Director of Estonian Islands Energy Agency, Estonia: “Islands across the Baltic Sea Region are emerging as potential future energy hubs, capable of strengthening regional systems and creating new opportunities.

The Cities and Regions Lab, organised by the Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme, focused on next steps — identifying where transnational cooperation after 2027 can have the greatest impact.

Towards the end of the day, participants were invited to sign the BSSSC Resolution, a joint statement from BSSSC's Day of Cities and Regions to the EUSBSR Annual Forum, national, regional and local authorities in the Baltic Sea Region, Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference, and the European Union institutions. The resolution emphasises the need for stronger cooperation across all levels of governance, a well-funded and accessible Cohesion Policy, and continued support for cross-border cooperation and INTERREG.

It highlights the importance of place-based approaches, targeted support for regions facing demographic and border challenges, and meaningful involvement of young people in shaping their communities and Europe’s future. It also underlines the importance of continued cooperation with Ukraine. At its core, the resolution affirms that Europe’s strength is built locally, and that European decisions only truly matter when they improve people’s everyday lives in regions.

The resolution is available here: https://www.bsssc.com/resolutions

Information prepared by Baiba Šelkovska, Communication Manager, Vidzeme Planning Region, Latvia. E-mail: baiba.selkovska@vidzeme.lv

For more information, please contact the BSSSC Secretariat, led by the Vidzeme Planning Region. E-mail: bsssc@bsssc.com