On 11 May 2026 in Tallinn, more than 270 participants from across the Baltic Sea Region gathered for the BSSSC Day of Cities and Regions as part of the EUSBSR 17th Annual Forum. The event focused on Europe's resilience in the face of crisis, emphasizing the importance of cities and regions in maintaining services, infrastructure, and responding immediately. Ukrainian representatives contributed perspectives shaped by real-time crisis management needs. Key speakers included Tallinn's Mayor Peeter Raudsepp, BSSSC Chair Inese Suija-Markova, and Dr. Heini Utunen, Mayor of the South Savo Regional Council in Finland, highlighting challenges posed by demographic changes and ongoing geopolitical tensions affecting economic development and cooperation. Themes addressed included integrating climate resilience into security planning, social innovation, cross-border cooperation, and practical well-funded solutions. Discussions stressed that resilience is fundamentally about people and communities acting as first responders and maintaining mutual trust. Particular attention was given to border regions, societal polarization, youth involvement, and the role of islands and remote regions as emerging energy hubs. The event concluded with the signing of the BSSSC Resolution calling for stronger cooperation across governance levels, increased funding, targeted regional support, and ongoing collaboration with Ukraine. The resolution affirms that Europe's strength is locally built and decisions matter when they improve daily life in regions.

On 11 May 2026 in Tallinn, more than 270 participants from across the Baltic Sea Region gathered for the BSSSC Day of Cities and Regions as part of the EUSBSR 17th Annual Forum. The event focused on Europe's resilience in the face of crisis, emphasizing the importance of cities and regions in maintaining services, infrastructure, and responding immediately. Ukrainian representatives contributed perspectives shaped by real-time crisis management needs. Key speakers included Tallinn's Mayor Peeter Raudsepp, BSSSC Chair Inese Suija-Markova, and Dr. Heini Utunen, Mayor of the South Savo Regional Council in Finland, highlighting challenges posed by demographic changes and ongoing geopolitical tensions affecting economic development and cooperation. Themes addressed included integrating climate resilience into security planning, social innovation, cross-border cooperation, and practical well-funded solutions. Discussions stressed that resilience is fundamentally about people and communities acting as first responders and maintaining mutual trust. Particular attention was given to border regions, societal polarization, youth involvement, and the role of islands and remote regions as emerging energy hubs. The event concluded with the signing of the BSSSC Resolution calling for stronger cooperation across governance levels, increased funding, targeted regional support, and ongoing collaboration with Ukraine. The resolution affirms that Europe's strength is locally built and decisions matter when they improve daily life in regions.