Baltic Sea Region Youth Forum calls for registration for election to the Committee of Youth Representatives

Registration for the first ever elections of the recently established Baltic Sea Region Youth Forum (BSRYF) has now opened. The elections will be held online on 19 April 2023 (13.30 – 16.00 CET), alongside the official kick-off event of the BSRYF.

“The Baltic Sea Region Youth Forum is an opportunity for young people to make a real impact in shaping the future of our region,” said Dominik Littfass, the Acting Senior Advisor currently in charge of youth matters at the CBSS.  

“We encourage all young eligible candidates to register and participate in the election. By doing so, they will have the chance to represent their peers and to help shape policies and initiatives that will drive meaningful youth participation in the Baltic Sea Region,” said Littfass.

Both organisations and individuals can now apply to be elected to the governing bodies of the BSRYF – both to the executive body, the Steering Group (SG), and to the legislative body, the Committee of Youth Representatives (CYR). Fifteen seats are vacant in the CYR, and five in the SG.  

The BSRYF is open to all pan-Baltic organisations and networks, national and regional youth councils, and youth organisations in the Baltic Sea Region. Individuals or groups engaged in youth-related activities can also participate. 

For individuals, to be eligible for the elections, candidates must be 16-29 years of age and reside in one of the current CBSS Member States or be a national thereof. 

Organisations can apply for the Steering Group (SG) elections if they operate in the BSR and in accordance with the values of the CBSS, and work with youth-related topics.  

Recently established this year by the CBSS as a follow-up initiative of the now closed Baltic Sea Youth Platform, the BSRYF is a youth-led body that represents the voices and interests of young people in the Baltic Sea Region. It specifically advocates for meaningful youth involvement in organisations and institutions while encouraging their active participation in policy-making. 

Registration for the BSRYF election is open from 15 March 2023 to 15 April 2023 and can also be done through the Baltic Sea Region Youth Forum website. The election will be held during the election meeting on 19 April 2023 at 13:30 –16:00 CET.  

The official kick-off event will also be held on the same day on 19 April 2023, featuring a presentation of the BSRYF among other programme points on meaningful youth participation. 

Potential candidates and interested young people are invited to join the BSRYF info session on April 4 at 16:30 CET. The link to the meeting will be published on the CBSS website.  

Any questions regarding the BSRYF can be asked via e-mail at: [email protected]  

Candidates for the BSRYF elections are also encouraged to apply for participation in the CBSS Youth Ministerial 2023 that will be held in Berlin, Germany on 21-25 May 2023. All expenses will be paid by the organisers.

The application window will close on 15 April 2023. 

For more information, visit cbss.org/bsryf