Baltic Sea Region Youth Forum

What is the BSRYF?

The Baltic Sea Region Youth Forum (BSRYF) is a dynamic platform where young voices are heard, and ideas take shape. Representing youth from the Baltic Sea Region, the BSRYF champions:

• Youth-led initiatives addressing today’s pressing challenges.
• Active dialogue between young people and policymakers.
• Opportunities for leadership and collaboration within regional and international organisations.

Facilitated by the Council of the Baltic Sea States, the BSRYF connects youth organisations, regional networks, and individuals working together to create a sustainable, inclusive future.

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Official Baltic Sea Youth website: cbss.org/youth

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What does the BSRYF do?

The BSRYF is action-oriented, focusing on:

• Hosting networking events to connect youth across the region.
• Publishing policy recommendations to influence regional strategies.
• Organising annual youth forums to promote collaboration and advocacy.
• Supporting working groups tackling issues like culture, security, and innovation.
• Facilitating youth ministerial forums under the CBSS presidency.

Structure

The BSRYF is youth-driven, with two main governing bodies:

• Committee of Youth Representatives (CYR): the legislative body of the BSRYF, driving youth participation and shaping policies correspond with CBSS priorities. Comprising 10–20 members aged 16–29, the CYR elects its leadership and appoints representatives to the Steering Group.
•  Steering Group (SG): the executive body, constituted of five persons, namely three representatives of the BSRYF CYR, and two representatives of the BSRYF partner organizations and networks. 

Your impact, our support

The CBSS supports the BSRYF with resources and expertise while ensuring the forum remains youth-led and independent. Together, we address the priorities outlined in the Vilnius II Declaration, fostering a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable Baltic Sea Region.

“Young people participate and are represented in a meaningful way in institutions and decision-making processes giving impetus to efforts to reach a more resilient, gender equal and safe Region.”

Why join the BSRYF?

• Make a difference: influence policies that matter to you.
• Build connections: meet like-minded individuals and organizations.
• Grow your skills: gain insights into decision-making and leadership.
• Be heard: elevate your ideas to decision-makers at regional and international levels.

How to get Involved

The BSRYF offers flexible opportunities for participation:

1. Simple member: Stay updated on events, initiatives, and opportunities. Members aged 16-30 can also vote in BSRYF elections.
2. Committee of Youth Representatives (CYR): Shape the BSRYF’s direction. Members, aged 16-29, are elected annually to represent youth perspectives and create new proposals.
3. Steering Group (SG): Positions are open to individuals from the CYR or organisations committed to youth development in the region.

CYR and Steering Group organisations’ elections are planned for April 2025. For more information, visit the Open Calls section.

Role of the CBSS

To maintain some flexibility and ensure that it is youth-driven, the BSRYF is not embedded in the official structure of the CBSS. Nevertheless, the Secretariat of the CBSS executes administrative tasks within the CBSS Secretariat and coordination point of the BSRYF, in close collaboration with the CBSS Presidency and the CBSS Committee of Senior Officials (CSO), which maintains an overall advisory and supervisory role. 

The BSRYF is the institutionalised successor of the Baltic Sea Youth Platform (BSYP), a CBSS-led project on meaningful youth participation that ended in 2022.

Key documents

• BSRYF Terms of Reference
• BSRYF Guidelines (draft)
• CYR Vote Delegation Form
• BSRYF Presentation

Contact

Aline Mayr, CBSS Policy Officer for Youth, Regional Identity Email: [email protected]