BSR Youth engages with security dilemmas at the Baltic Sea Youth Dialogue 2025

The 12^th edition of the Baltic Sea Youth Dialogue (BSYD) was held in Stockholm from 21-25 November 2025, bringing youth from across the region to engage and reflect on security topics from the perspectives of the Baltic Sea Region Youth Forum Working Groups. The event was funded by the German Federal Foreign Office through the German Embassy in Stockholm.

As an outcome of the BSYD and with tools gained at the opening Communications workshop, the six BSRYF Working Groups have begun producing campaigns to raise awareness on security issues in relation to the their priority areas. The BSYD outputs also aim to increase youth involvement, reaffirming the BSRYF as an impactful, open forum for the empowerment of youth voices. 

Security at the forefront

The BSYD 2025 featured various experts from institutions and agencies relevant to Baltic Sea security, including the Swedish Defence University, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), and Stockholm University. Commander Markus Brüggemeier, German Defence Attaché to Sweden, provided insights on the current security situation in the Baltic Sea. The German Embassy to Sweden hosted an evening reception with key stakeholders to ensure a broad visibility and networking possibilities for the attendees. 

The diverse programme allowed participants to approach security from holistic perspectives – viewing current issues through lenses ranging from environmental sustainability to culture, AI and youth advocacy. Excursions to the Princess Estelle Sculpture Garden with a guided tour supported by the Polish Institute, and to the Stockholm-based cultural centre Fryshuset, also brought creativity and democracy support into the frame of regional security and resilience.

Update on BSYD 2025 outputs

Throughout January 2026, the six Working Groups translated their reflections from BSYD 2025 intro outreach campaigns. Experimenting with various platforms and mediums, including the Baltic Sea Youth Instagram and LinkedIn, the Working Groups developed diverse communication strategies to share their insights and promote participation.

Already, the Working Group on AI launched the Beyond Chatbots initiative to provide information on European infrastructure for advanced intelligence. The Working Group on Youth Advocacy started a social media campaign to share insights from BSYD and gather policy recommendations through surveys.  

In an article produced following the BSYD 2025, the Working Group on Transport and Energy reflected on energy security, while the social media campaign initiated by the Working Group on Environment and Climate Change addresses topics such as environmental justice and resilience. An upcoming campaign by the Working Group on Culture will focus on social resilience, drawing additionally on lessons from another CBSS initiative, the BSR Cultural Pearls project. Finally, the Working Group on Digital Literacy and Democracy created a social media campaign targeting disinformation as a security concern.

Heading into 2026, the BSRYF will continue to strengthen youth perspectives on Baltic Sea Region policies. With the upcoming BSRYF Election Meeting and CBSS Youth Ministerial, it is a better time than ever to get involved. Stay up to date on upcoming activities on the BSRYF Instagram, LinkedIn and the Baltic Sea Youth website.

The Baltic Sea Youth Dialogue is an annual event that brings together youth from across the Baltic Sea Region to empower youth perspectives and strengthen youth advocacy in regional policymaking. More information on the BSYD can be found on the CBSS website and the Baltic Sea Youth website.