Baltic regional identity and sustainability: The young perspective at Youth Camp 2019

Baltic Sea Youth Camp 2019 – a three-day camp in Gdansk, Poland – brought together around 100 young adults from across the region. Camp goers got to explore and discuss topics such as regional identity, cultural understanding, circular economy and sustainable development. The CBSS Project Support Facility funded the Baltic Sea Youth Camp 2019 – an initiative lead by the Baltic Sea States Subregional Cooperation together with the Union of Baltic Cities, the Euroregion Baltic and the Baltic Sea Cultural Centre in Gdansk.

The big range of workshops and activities offered at the camp all contributed to the development of the Baltic Youth Declaration – a summary of the ideas and thoughts discussed. The declaration was presented to politicians and stakeholders on the last day of the camp. CBSS Senior Adviser for Regional Identity, Kaarina Williams, represented the CBSS.

Our Baltic 2030 Unit, represented at the camp by Programme Coordinator Olga Zuin and Policy Officer Valdur Lahtvee organised an engaging and elaborate Maritime Spatial Planning Game, where campers got to be decision makers allocating resources and planning for the future and a climate action workshop with the opportunity to assess own carbon footprint.

CBSS’ Andriy Martynenko, Adviser for PA Secure, gave an introduction to the importance of trans-border cooperation to ensure the security in the Baltic Sea Region. Camp goers were also given an opportunity to familiarize with and try out different fire extinguishing techniques as well as practice giving first aid.

After attending the Baltic Youth Camp, camp goers also had a chance to participate in the EUSBSR Annual Forum in Gdansk. At the Forum they got to present the Baltic Youth Declaration to stakeholders, regional organisations, politicians and participants.

See more photos from the Baltic Sea Youth Camp here.