16-29 and Want to Make a Difference? Stand for the Baltic Sea Region Youth Forum Elections.

Registration for the elections to the governing bodies of the Baltic Sea Region Youth Forum is now open. Young individuals living in the Baltic Sea Region (BSR), aged between 16 and 29, can apply until 16 April 2024. The elections will be conducted online on 22 April 2024. 

“Youth looking to shape their community should definitely consider applying,” says the current Chair of the Committee of Youth Representatives, Andreas Schoop. 

Seats on the two main bodies of the BSRYF will be contested: the Committee of Youth Representatives (CYR), its legislative arm; and the Steering Group (SG), its executive arm. 

The CYR provides a platform for dynamic dialogue, innovation, and recommendation development to young people willing to join regional policy-making.

“The CYR gives us young people a unique opportunity to influence policy and make our voices heard in the Baltic Sea Region and on an international stage,” says Schoop. 

The online elections are scheduled for 22 April 2024, from 15:00 to 17:00 CEST (Stockholm time). 

The links to the online election meeting will be distributed via the CBSS Youth newsletter and to the members of the BSRYF. Voting is open to all BSRYF members, so all individuals and groups should ensure they are registered as simple BSRYF members as well. To become a regular member of the BSRYF, register here.

How to apply for the CYR and SG elections

• To the Committee of Youth Representatives (CYR): To join this open and youth-led legislative body of BSRYF, the most important criterion for applicants is to be between 16 and 29 years of age and be a resident of one of the 10 CBSS Member States (or have the nationality of one). Motivation and time are also essential for any BSRYF member, especially CYR. Passion for youth advocacy and the Baltic Sea Region is what all CYR members share. Skills and experience are always welcome, but the CYR is also a place where members grow and develop skills that they desire. New members of the CYR will be elected during the elections on 22 April 2024 at 15:00 CEST (Stockholm time). It is possible to be elected in absence, but online presence at the elections is encouraged. Individuals can apply here.
• To the Steering Group: This is the executive body of BSRYF and is comprised of five members: two youth-orientated organisations and three individuals elected to the CYR. The elections for Steering Group individual members will be held after the CYR is elected. Individuals wanting to be in the Steering Group have to become CYR members first. The elections for Steering Group organisations will be held together with the CYR elections on 22 April 2024 at 15:00 CEST (Stockholm time).
• Note to organisations applying to the SG and voting in the elections: To participate in the elections, an organisation must have applied by 16 April 2024. Organisations eligible to vote in the BSRYF election can submit a vote delegation form by 21 April 2024 at 12:00 CEST (Stockholm time). This will allow their representative to cast three votes on behalf of the organisation. Organisations can apply here.

Additional information

• Info sessions: Online info session will be held for both interested individuals and organisations on 20 March 2024 at 10:00 CET (Stockholm time) and on 5 April 2024 at 14:00 CEST (Stockholm time). The link for the info sessions will be distributed on the day of each event. To receive the link, please register here.
• Additional information about the BSRYF can be found on the CBSS website and on the Baltic Sea Youth website.
• Do you still have questions? Please reach out to our youth team at the CBSS who will be happy to help: [email protected]