Baltic Sea Youth Develop Policy Recommendations at CBSS Youth Ministerial 2025

Young people from across the Baltic Sea Region convened in Tallinn for the CBSS Youth Ministerial 2025, contributing policy recommendations on democracy, digitalisation and civic security that were presented to regional Foreign Ministers.

Young people from across the Baltic Sea Region gathered in Tallinn on 4–7 May 2025 for the CBSS Youth Ministerial, held under the Estonian Presidency of the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS). The event offered a platform for 20 youth delegates, aged 18 to 29, to engage in high-level dialogue on democratic resilience, digital participation, and civic security.

Centred around the themes of digitalisation and democracy, participants examined the risks of youth radicalisation, ways to increase digital participation in elections, and the role of young people in civil protection. Expert-led workshops and policy discussions enabled direct exchanges between the youth participants and members of the CBSS Committee of Senior Officials.

As a core outcome, the participants produced a Position Paper by Baltic Sea Youth on Building Democratic Resilience through Digitalisation, Civic Education, and Consistent Youth Participation.

The paper puts forward several key recommendations:

  • Establish digital engagement channels and structured capacity building for consistent youth participation.
  • Institutionalise monthly civic education in schools and vocational training.
  • Implement early digital literacy programmes to prevent youth radicalisation.
  • Strengthen AI comprehension and critical thinking across the BSR.
  • Establish integrated crisis communication and simulation frameworks.

The paper was formally presented at the CBSS Ministerial Session 2025 at Vihula Manor, Estonia, where it served to highlight youth perspectives in regional policymaking.