Aline Mayr: Empowering youth for a resilient Baltic Sea Region

Empowered young adults contribute significantly to the development of strong societies in the Baltic Sea Region. Their perspectives and innovations are essential for the future of macro-regional cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region, as well as for cohesion policies within and beyond the European Union. Rooted in democratic values, the meaningful participation of younger generations strengthens both decision-making processes and societal resilience.

For the future of Baltic Sea Region cooperation, involving all generations—those who experienced the Iron Curtain and those who did not—is imperative. Younger perspectives are often underrepresented, even though many young people and youth organisations are eager to contribute to macro-regional cooperation on an equal footing.

The Baltic Sea Region Youth Forum (BSRYF), established in 2023 under Germany’s presidency of the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS), serves as a cornerstone and platform for the meaningful engagement of young people in macro-regional policies. Through its institutionalisation, youth involvement in decision-making and activities has become more structured, creating a greater impact and fostering sustainability through the development of institutional memory.

Effectively institutionalising youth engagement requires patience and openness from all parties involved—young people, institutions, coordinators, and organisations. Navigating complex governance structures and adapting to major geopolitical developments, while relying on the expertise of volunteers and young mobile professionals from diverse fields, presents daily challenges. Overcoming these challenges demands robust and flexible platforms like the BSRYF and contributions from a wide range of stakeholders.

When it comes to influencing policy, young people often bring a holistic perspective and a future-oriented approach, unconstrained by institutional limitations. Their contributions bridge the latest knowledge from educational institutions and the organisations they volunteer or work with, integrating it into existing policy development structures.

To fully harness this potential, members of the BSRYF advocate for the integration of young people and youth organisations into as many decision-making processes as possible, whether at the local, regional, national, or macro-regional level.

The establishment of the BSRYF has created a dedicated coordination point for interest groups within the Baltic Sea Region. Through its flexible structure, the Forum facilitates the initiation of new activities and cooperation with relevant stakeholders, aligning agendas and advancing the harmonisation of policies within the Baltic Sea Region.

The BSRYF takes advantage of its unique position, fostering horizontal, cross-sector collaboration with stakeholders from the youth sector, institutions, and political platforms like the CBSS, the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC), and others. In such a diverse yet interconnected region as the Baltic Sea Region, aligning agendas and making collective decisions can be challenging. However, the inclusion of young people adds a valuable dimension to these processes, increasing decision-making effectiveness, enhancing societal impact, and reinforcing vital democratic principles.

The integration of young people into decision-making processes is widely recognised as a means of enhancing societal resilience. Today’s youth face challenges that differ from those encountered by previous generations. It is a shared societal responsibility not to make decisions for young people but to involve them actively in the process. This requires openness and a willingness to learn from all parties involved to ensure a constructive dialogue.

The BSRYF fosters such dialogue, building on decades of youth initiatives within the Baltic Sea Region. These efforts have been driven by dedicated individuals and supported by institutions working to contextualise the rights enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the EU youth agendas at a macro-regional level. While significant progress has been made, there is always room for further engagement and improvement.

Working with individuals and youth structures across the region reveals that cooperation fosters progress and empowers young people to take on responsibilities or even initiate their own cross-border projects. The spirit of trust and collaboration strengthens the Baltic Sea Region, with young people driving the preservation and advancement of this cooperative ethos.

The Baltic Sea Region, with its multi-level governance structures, holds immense potential for fostering collaboration across generations and borders. Anyone interested in contributing should be able to find a clear entry point.

Despite challenges like limited resources and complex structures, youth cooperation exemplifies the essence of macro-regional collaboration. It is not about competition but about building on one another’s experiences to amplify young voices.

While there is no universal model for youth participation, there is a strong commitment from multiple stakeholders to strive for the best possible solutions. Decision-makers often ask how and where to begin. Here are some suggestions, drawn from youth recommendations over the years:

• Invite young people and youth representatives to meetings, ensuring they can share their perspectives and implement their ideas.
• Create paid positions for youth advocates within organisations and institutions.
• Secure funding for youth events accompanying forums, conferences, and anniversaries, with early planning to ensure a meaningful agenda and effective follow-up mechanisms.

Young people and civil society are essential resources for shaping and implementing effective policies. Involving young people in policy development, decision-making, and cooperation activities is crucial for our shared present and future and the Baltic Sea Region Youth Forum plays a pivotal role in ensuring this vision becomes a reality.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or positions of the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS), its officials, or its Member States.