The Youth4Ocean Forum is calling all young people in the Baltic Sea Area!
Are you between 16 and 30 years old and do you represent the Baltic Sea Region? Do you organise conservation activities with children, other young people or a local community? Or maybe you have a project in mind to raise awareness of consumers on sustainable seafood or to use marine resources in the Baltic Sea sustainably? Or something completely different that you think has the potential to change things in the area?
Then we are looking for you!
The #Youth4Ocean Forum has launched a new call for project proposals, designed to promote the ideas of young change-makers in the Baltic Sea Region! All across the Baltic Sea Region, we are looking for young people that either are or would like to develop an ocean-related project and that are keen to become Baltic ‘Young Ocean Advocates’.
What do you get out of it?
As a Baltic Young Ocean Advocate, you will have access to exclusive benefits and resources to make a positive change for the Ocean:
Your project and personal profile will be showcased in the Youth4Ocean Forum section on the Maritime Forum website of the European Commission, and promoted on social media by the EU4Ocean Coalition;
You will get support and guidance from members of the EU4Ocean Coalition, to help you carry out your activities;
You will have access to the coaching/mentoring programme of the EU4Ocean Coalition to develop your project and skills;
You will be invited to participate in the EU4Ocean sea basin events on an equal footing with the EU4Ocean Coalition other members and get the chance to pitch your project and ideas in front of a broad audience;
You will be able to attend events and network with leading experts, likeminded young people and professionals from all over Europe.
You will get access to tools and networks to promote ocean literacy in Europe.
You will be able to participate in EU4Ocean Coalition discussion groups on topics: Food from the Ocean, Climate & Ocean, Healthy & Clean Ocean;
And last but not least, you will have the possibility to participate in the EU4Ocean final event (to be held in one the EU Member States in 2021/2022), and to win an award for your project.
What are we looking for?
We are looking for all kinds of projects or project ideas that take place in the Baltic Sea Region or that are somehow linked to the region. You can find more information in the Guidelines which include a handy FAQ section:
16–30-year-olds
From the Baltic Sea Region / or a project (idea) focusing on the Baltic Sea Region
Project (ideas) relevant to Food from the Ocean; Ocean and Climate; Healthy and Clean Ocean
Project (ideas) relevant to the ocean: focusing on marine education; conservation; research, performing or visual arts; Blue Economy and entrepreneurship; fisheries and aquaculture; maritime transport; coastal tourism; sports; etc.
Project (ideas) bringing a solution to a marine and/or social challenge, promoting sustainable development, community engagement, good practice and behaviour; etc.
All kinds of ideas to create the Baltic we want are welcome and there’s no limit to imagination!
Will we see you on the 26th and 27th of August in Helsinki, Finland?
Supported by the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of the European Commission, the #Youth4Ocean and the #EU4Ocean Coalition are organizing the first Baltic Ocean Literacy Event taking place on the 26th and 27th of August 2021 in Helsinki, Finland. The event will showcase initiatives and activities from all Baltic Sea Region countries and gather all relevant Ocean Literacy stakeholders from across the region, to transfer and generate joint knowledge and to raise awareness about the ocean, its resources and its importance for the Blue Economy and human health. It will be a hybrid event, taking place both in-person in Helsinki as well as online.
In addition to the many benefits listed above, a successful application to become a Baltic Young Ocean Advocate will also give you a chance to pitch your project at the #EU4Ocean Baltic Ocean Literacy Event that is being organised on the 26th and 27th of August 2021 in Helsinki, Finland. We will select 5 pitchers that will be given the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to present their project to real ocean professionals. The winner of the pitch will be given the opportunity to present their project once more at the final event of #EU4Ocean taking place in 2021/2022 and receive extra mentoring to realize their project and bring it to the next level.
Now what?
Brainstorm – submit your application until 1st August 2021, keep your fingers crossed and hopefully see you in Helsinki!
During the presentation, students learn about the characteristics of the Baltic Sea, physical and chemical conditions as well as fauna and flora. During the presentation, basic ecological concepts are introduced.
The Gdynia Aquarium is part of the National Marine Fisheries Research Institute. Our mission is to present aquatic species from around the world, as well as to transfer knowledge about the aquatic environment. The Gdynia Aquarium is a rather unusual zoological garden, in which all animals are bound to the aquatic environment, and in which the entire surface is enclosed in one building. However, despite this uniqueness, the Aquarium fulfils all the functions of a modern zoological garden, undertaking actions for the animals’ protection, propagating the ideas of environmental protection, conducting broadly understood ecological education and scientific research.
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), one of the most important factors responsible for the loss of biodiversity on Earth is the excessive exploitation of species by humans. In the early 1970s, a special international agreement was established, called the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, i.e. from the English “Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora” – CITES. The aquarium is a shelter for animals from the CITES list.
Aline Mayr from CBSS, Leader of our Baltic Sea Youth Platform project supported by the Erasmus+ programme explained how we engage youngsters from the Baltic Sea Region to become more involved in cooperation activities.
See here:
We also encourage you to see the MRS summary video explaining the macroregional strategies in Europe here:
Can young people be at the forefront of revitalising our cities during and after the COVID-19 crisis?
Let’s see how this crisis impacted youth participation in the cities of Europe, and how cities and their young people can adapt to a more digitized environment, what the future looks like and what can be done for developing and improving urban youth ecosystems.
Join the Happy City Conference in our live public event, remotely, even from your home! Find out more about how European Youth Capital cities did during the COVID-19 pandemic, how the youngsters in these cities felt both before and during the pandemic or how they assess their city’s safety, unity, or proactivity levels.
The programme and registrations to the conference:
On 3.10 we invited youngsters from Gdansk and Elbląg, including youth from the Euroregion Baltic Youth Board, to participate in the Baltic Sea Youth Platform #BSYP event raising awareness on STEM among youth.
The EUSBSR Annual Forum should have taken place in Turku, Finland in June 2020. Due to the COVID-situation it was rescheduled for October and during summer 2020 it was decided to cancel the physical event and instead go online. As the BSYP partnership planned to organise a physical youth event back-to-back to the Forum this idea now must be transformed to fit into the virtual context of the whole event. The Baltic Sea Youth Camp that took place in June 2020 was the first kick-off to these activities. The EUSBSR Annual Forum will take place virtually in form of a bigger panel event on 20.10.2020 and workshops were organised online alongside by the PACs and HACs, as well as external partners during September and October. The young people in the region expressed their wish to return to physical events. Therefore, smaller events were organised by local partners in the region. Our ERB event in Elbląg was one of them! See a few pictures from the event too!
What: Baltic Sea Youth Camp virtual 2.0
For whom: young people (16 – 30 years old) from the Baltic Sea Region
Why: Because we want to make the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region much more youthful and state our opinion on it.
Please follow the link and get your ticket for the event before the event. Registrations is open until the start of the event!
A detailed schedule of the event can be seen on the event registration page.————————————————————
Are you interested in politics? Would you like to get more information on EU policies and what they actually do for you? We want to make young voices be heard all over the Baltic Sea Region and beyond. Share your thoughts and become a part of the Baltic Sea Youth Platform. Together with you, we want to prepare a youth input to the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region. We have organised several smaller local events before we will now meet all together online. If you did not get the chance to take part in the local events, do not worry, there will be an info session for everyone to get on the same page. We will also provide the possibility to informally meet decisionmakers in the region and familiarise yourself with the structures of political engagement in the Baltic Sea Region. The event functions as a youth event before the Annual Forum of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region and will enable you to follow the big event on 20.10. Together we will write a declaration to the actors within the Strategy from EU to the local level. This event is the ideal starting point or continuation of your political career within the Baltic Sea Region. Join us and see what the Baltic Sea Region has to offer! We welcome participants from ALL countries of the Baltic Sea Region (Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Russia & Sweden) and everyone interested in exploring our region.
Do you want to know how the EU promotes macro-regions? See a great example of the EU cohesion policy? Then check out what the EU macro-regional strategies are all about and why they are influencing your life as well and bring us together as one Baltic Sea Region. Join us at 17.10. from 14 – 17 o’clock to discuss what is important for young people in our region and influence EU policies directly: https://www.facebook.com/events/329616354995029
You will also get the chance to informally chat with the Director General of the Council of the Baltic Sea States. The Council represents 11 Member States and the EU. You want to know more about the Council and its work? And what the EUSBSR has to do with it? Ask your questions! Some information can already be found on the CBSS website: https://cbss.org/
The project Strengthening civil society rights by information access for European youth” SIA4Y was funded with the support of the European Union under the Programme “Europe for Citizens”
8events have been carried out within this project:
Event 1
Participation: The event involved 31 citizens, including 23 participants from the city of Gdańsk and Elbląg (Poland), 2 participants from Helsinki, Finland, 2 participants from Brussels and Leuven, Belgium, 1 participant from Riga, Latvia, 2 participants from Tallin, Estonia and 1 participant from Verona, Italy.
Location / Dates: The event took place in Gdańsk, Poland from 10/12/2018 to 11/12/2018 Short description: The aim of the event was to have an internal, kick-off meeting for the Project Partners to discuss the contents of the project applications, planned project activities and upcoming project events. Partners shared our views and opinions on the best practices collected in previous projects and agreed for the most exciting formats we wish to offer to our youth. On the 2nd day, Lead Partner prepared a European Debate with the representatives of the project partners and from the Pomorskie region NGOs dealing with the civic engagement, youth issues and democracy.
Event 2 Participation: The event involved 93 citizens, including 66 participants from the cities of Elbląg, Dzieżgoń, Iława, Gdynia and Gdańsk (Poland), 1 participant from Greece, 1 participant from Verona, Italy, 2 participants from Hasselholm, Sweden, 18 participants from Klaipeda and Telsai, Lithuania and additionally – as a guest of our hosts – Euroregion Baltic – 5 participants from Russia, Kaliningrad Region.
Location / Dates: The event took place in Elbląg, Poland on 07/03.2019 Short description: The event was divided into two main workshop sessions, whose main scope was to bring the topic of “right of information access” in the foreground, also trough a synergy between SIA4Y and other youth-related projects known to the participants. etc. After the introduction to the project and Freedom of Information and Rights for the youth to access the information we had the first session was on “Responsible relationships and youth civic engagement”. The 2nd one was led by the representatives of the Transparency International Lithuania – ““Model Your Municipality: Participatory Budgeting Session”. Participants were asked to think of and create the budget for a common project that would benefit their municipalities. Afterwards, each group presented the idea they came up with and finally the audience had the chance to vote for the idea they considered most interesting and likely to be implemented.
Event 3 Participation: The event involved 25 citizens, including 22 participants from the city of Tallinn and Tartu (Estonia), 2 participants from Gdańsk, Poland and 1 participant from Riga, Latvia.
Location / Dates: The event took place in Tallin (Estonia) on 12/04.2019.
Short description: The aim of the event was to learn about information access and gender budgeting. The event “Who wins from budgets?” was part of the project “Strengthening civil society rights by information access for European youth”. SIA4Y organisers tried to break the notion of typical political and civic engagement by asking whether the participants can name one actively or passively made political act from that morning. That discussion helped to create a feeling that it even small steps have an impact and that it is relatively fun and easy to be engaged in society. The principles and tools of information access, it was time to listen to young decision-makers. A representative of the youth in Tartu city council talked about what motivates her as a young person to be actively involved. She also introduced her job and explained a civic involvement mechanism, participatory budgeting, that is being used in Tartu. This event was also promoting the active engagement in the upcoming EU elections in May 2019 – this was in line with our website and social media campaign encouraging youth to vote in the EU elections.
Event 4
Participation: The event involved 51 citizens, including 49 participants from the city of Riga (Latvia) and 2 participants from Gdańsk, Poland.
Location / Dates: The event took place in Riga (Latvia) on 25/04/2019. Short description: The aim of the event was to learn more about the access and freedom of information. During the first part of the day youngsters learned about various aspects of Freedom of Information – What is information? Why do we need to access it? Who can request information from public institutions? – those were among the questions that were answered during the theoretical part of the event. Participants engaged in discussions and gave their opinions, therefore making the lecture active and lively. After learning about some of the tools for presenting and disseminating informative materials in an attractive and interactive way, youngsters split into groups and worked on their own informative presentations.
Event 5
Participation: The event involved 34 citizens, including 34 participants from the city of Helsinki (Finland).
Location / Dates: The event took place in Helsinki (Finland) on 21/10/2019 Short description: The aim of the event was to increase the level of awareness, knowledge and ability to use the right of access to public information and support freedom of information among youth. The event also aimed to increase the level of understanding and activity of young citizens regarding public monitoring of EU – level, state institutions and local government. During the event best practice on One-Stop Guidance Centers from Finland was shared and discussed with youth.
Event 6
Participation: The event involved 26 citizens, including 19 participants from the city of Leuven and Brussels (Belgium), 3 participants from Gdańsk and Elbląg (Poland), 1 participant from Riga (Latvia), 1 participant from Tallinn (Estonia), 1 participant from Paris (France), 1 participant from Madrid (Spain).
Location / Dates: The event took place in Leuven (Belgium) on 27.09.2019. Short description: The aim of the event was to discuss the citizen’s control on public auction with the concrete examples and best practices from various EU countries like Belgium, Spain, France, Poland, Latvia and Estonia. Participants met also with the Ombudsman from the Flemish Region, learned about the FoI state-of-the-art in France, and the experience of Transparencia.be.
Event 7
Participation: The event involved 39 citizens from 13 countries, including 23 participants from the city of Brussels, (Belgium), 4 participants from Gdansk (Poland), 1 participant from Madrid (Spain), 1 participant from Vienna (Austria), 1 participant from Lisbon (Portugal), 1 participant from Tallinn (Estonia), 1 participant from Italy, 2 participants from the Netherlands, 1 participant from Berlin (Germany), 1 participant from Helsinki (Finland), 1 participant from Paris (France), 1 participant from Bulgaria, 1 participant from the UK.
Location / Dates: The event took place in Brussels (Belgium) from 06/11/2019 to 07/11/2019 Short description: The aim of the event was to present the Code of Good practice based on the discussion and questionnaires made by youth during the 5 country events – the first outcome of the SIA4Y project to the international audience. Meeting also aimed at the promotion of freedom of expression in UNESCO, Transparency International, ECAS, EAAGE and other pan-European agencies. Topics of the discussion were related to the all-European FoI rights and practices.
Event 8
Participation: The event involved 67 citizens, including 49 participants from the city of Riga (Latvia), 4 participants from Elbląg and Gdańsk (Poland), 2 participants from Helsinki (Finland), 2 participants from Brussels (Belgium), 3 participants from Lithuania and 7 participants from Tallin (Estonia).
Location / Dates: The event took place in Riga (Latvia) on 15/01/2020. Short description: The aim of the event was to discuss with youth form various EU countries the access to information for youth – using interactive tools for disseminating information. In the meeting there were workshops on: Right of access to information enforcement through the UN, Enhancing the right to access information in the EU through Integrity Watch, Rights and opportunities for young people to access public information in school, municipality, country and many other.
The final conference, planned as event no. 9, has to be cancelled due to the COVID19 pandemic outburst. But on the 28th April Project Partners successfully realized and promoted the 3 project deliverables – documents and recommendations:
SIA4Y Code of Good Practice “Youth Access to Public Information”– where we share best practices on youth policy, FoI practices related to young people and share ideas on how to engage youth to become more aware and active EU citizens. Download here: http://civicyouth.eu/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/CodeOfGoodPracticeWWW.pdf
Our final publication “Youth for a healthy democracy in the European Union” – over 100 pages filled with academic expertise on transparency and FoI in the EU, written in lively, attractive manner – your complete guide to all FoI and Access to Information in the EU
Recommendations “Priority transparency needs from a youth perspective” – concise paper with clear guidelines for the policymakers based on our 8 meetings with almost 400 young EU citizens representing 14 nationalities of the EU. Download here: http://civicyouth.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Transparency-needs.pdf
Want to know more about the BSSSC Sporing Youth Event supported by the Euroregion Baltic and Union of the Baltic Cities?
In these difficult times of COVID-19 pandemic, which has already changed our lives and mindsets, we believe that maintaining communication is even more important than before. We, in the Baltic Sea Region, want to speak across generations on the most important issues. On our fears and ambitions, on the problems we face and the solutions that can be undertaken.
Therefore, on behalf of the Baltic Sea States Sub-regional Cooperation, Mieczyslaw Struk – Pomorskie Region Marshal and the BSSSC Chairman, together with the Union of the Baltic Cities, Euroregion Baltic, Pomorskie youth and climate activists invite you to the very first online BSSSC Spring Youth Event to take place on June 2nd-5th 2020.
We already know that the Corona crisis is with us for longer and influences a lot of aspects of our lives. It affects, among others, the ambitions we have had to make our planet clean and safe, and the society caring and prosperous. So we want to discuss what will be the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on:
the climate crisis;
digital world;
education;
modern democracy.
There are lots of challenges around us, which we can try to face together! We believe that we all need to think about how to critically react to information flow selecting facts from fakes and getting to know the whole picture. And how every one of us can contribute to a better life.
Working together and across the Baltic Sea, we can be more effective. Our voice will be much stronger, so decision-makers will have to listen. It will be important to take your voice to the EUSBSR AF in Turku, the Conference on the Future of Europe launched by the European Commission and other fora dealing with the state of our Earth and condition of our lives. Acting in line with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals we have to find solutions.
Let’s do this together!
Programme
Date: 2nd – 5th of June 2020
Online sessions on ZOOM
Please join ZOOM via link before 15:00 PM
June 2nd, 15:00 -18:00 CET
Welcome and opening of the BSSSC Spring Youth Event 2020 meeting – Mr. Mieczysław Struk, BSSSC Chairman
General introduction to the idea of the BSSSC Spring Youth Event 2020 meeting
Expert debate/Introduction to the thematic area Green Deal to Fight Climate Crisis in Corona Times
Mr Kamil Wyszkowski – Global Compact Network Poland
Ms Katarzyna Bałucka – Dębska – European Commission
Mr Marcin Gerwin – University of Gdańsk, Sopot Development Initiative
Ms Marta Wróblewska – Youth Climate Strike (Gdańsk, Sopot, Gdynia local group)
Discussion
Summary of day 1
June 3rd, 15:00 -17:00 CET
Expert debate/ Introduction to the thematic area Digital World in Post – Corona Times
Ms Aleksandra Przegalińska – Skierkowska – Koźmiński University
Mr Timo Väliharju – The Finnish Centre for Open Systems and Solutions
Mr Krzysztof Stachura – University of Gdańsk, The Foundation Center for Social Research and Analysis
Mr Darius Šoparas – Creative Partner
Mr Martin Rümmelein – former BSSSC Board Member
Discussion
Summary of day 2
June 4th, 15:00 – 17:00 CET
Expert debate /Introduction to the thematic area Education for the New World
Ms Małgorzata Bukowska – Ulatowska – Teachers Education Centre in Gdańsk
Mr Timo Väliharju – The Finnish Centre for Open Systems and Solutions
Ms Indre Razbadauskaite – Venske – Globalkey.lt and Nepaleisk svajones
Mr Przemysław Staroń – psychologist, cultural expert and teacher
Discussion
Summary of day 3
June 5th, 15:00 – 18:00 CET
Expert debate/ Introduction to the thematic area Democracy in the Post – Corona World
Mr Marius Ulozas – Institute for Policy Research and Analysis
Mr Wietse Van Ransbeeck – CitizenLab
Mr Dominik Ringler – Children and Youth Participation in Brandenburg
Ms Ewelina Górecka – the Polish Robert Schuman Foundation
Ms Daniela Vanić – Democracy International
Discussion
Introduction of the BSYP project
Ms Kaarina Williams – Council of the Baltic Sea States
Ms Aline Mayr – Council of Baltic the Sea States
Presentation of the results to the politicians/decision – makers, debate and summing up
Make sure you send us the motivation letter (not too long! max 1 page A4 format:-)) – tell us what drives your activities in the BSR. Add graphics, a collage, a film, or a photo if you wish – be creative!
Follow the instructions in the registration form. If you need more information, contact the BSSSC Secretariat:
WHAT: Baltic Sea Youth Camp – online edition WHEN: 12.-13.06.2020 WHERE: online, wherever you are WHY: Nothing can stop us! We are educating on, discussing about and developing new input for the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region. FOR WHOM: Young people between 18-25 years in / from / connected to the Baltic Sea Region MORE INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION: https://www.balticyouthcamp.org/
The 2020 Online edition of the Baltic Sea Youth Camp is a two-day online event where youth representing the Baltic Sea Region meet online to explore friendship and politics through workshops, small seminars and social activities. We welcome you to the 2nd Baltic Sea Youth Camp gathering which this time is online, due to the current situation with COVID-19. Join us and explore cultural identity and friendships in the Baltic Sea Region. Raise your voice and learn how to influence politics, share your viewpoints on cultural and political topics, meet politicians, join in interesting workshops.
