Youth Empowerment Through Heritage: Outputs of the Baltic Sea Youth Dialogue 2024 in Gdańsk
Twenty young participants from across the Baltic Sea Region gathered in Gdańsk, Poland, from 11–16 November 2024 for the 11th Baltic Sea Youth Dialogue, creating innovative Outreach Materials for Cultural Engagement to connect communities with their cultural heritage.
The 11th Baltic Sea Youth Dialogue (BSYD), held from 11–16 November 2024 in Gdańsk, Poland, brought together 20 young participants from across the Baltic Sea Region to create Outreach Materials for Cultural Engagement. These tools aim to inspire cities, schools and cultural organisations to engage young people in exploring and preserving local and regional cultural heritage.
Under the theme “Cultural Heritage in the Baltic Sea Region: Expert and Peer Dialogue on Shared Heritage, Connections, and Outreach in the BSR,” the BSYD 2024 programme combined expert-led discussions, workshops and interactive sessions.
Participants explored the Hanseatic League’s historical significance, collaborated with policymakers, and took part in cultural excursions. This environment supported the development of practical resources for youth outreach.
The event aimed to empower young people to engage with their cultural heritage, promote intergenerational dialogue, and inspire innovative approaches to community outreach. By fostering collaboration between youth, experts, and cultural institutions, BSYD seeks to strengthen regional identity and cross-border connections in the Baltic Sea Region.
Youth engagement with cultural heritage remains a significant challenge in the Baltic Sea Region, with many organisations seeking ways to connect young people to their cultural roots. The BSYD 2024 addressed this by equipping participants with tools to inspire active participation and foster pride in shared regional heritage.
The Outreach Materials for Cultural Engagement include:
- A peer-to-peer concept for community outreach.
- Practical tools such as a flyer, an interactive quiz, a city exploration game, and a postcard-based city tour of Gdańsk.
These resources are designed to support stakeholders — including cities, schools, museums, and youth groups — in engaging young people with cultural heritage through creative and accessible methods.
BSYD 2024 was organised through collaboration between the CBSS, the Union of Cities THE HANSA, and the German Federal Foreign Office and the German Embassy in Stockholm, which financed the BSYD 2024.
Special contributions from experts further enriched the programme, including insights from the German Consulate in Gdańsk and the Goethe-Institute Poland.
- Peggy Berndt, representing the German Consulate in Gdańsk, emphasised the important role of youth in fostering cultural and civic engagement. She highlighted how initiatives like BSYD empower young people to shape regional identity and build cross-border connections.
- The Goethe-Institute Poland delivered a workshop led by Dorota Niewidomska, representing the PASCH (Schools: Partners for the Future) initiative. The session focused on practical strategies for youth outreach, trust-building, and fostering meaningful connections.
For more information on the Baltic Sea Youth Dialogue and to explore the Outreach Materials for Cultural Engagement, visit the BSYD page on the CBSS website.
