In January 2019, the Baltic Sea Cultural Centre in Gdańsk hosted 9th Strategic Project Development Workshop “The Power of Culture & Creative Sectors to increase Youth Participation in the BSR – Supporting the Baltic Sea Region Youth Camp in Summer 2019”co-organized by EUSBSR PA Culture.

The aim of the Workshop, held on January 29-30, was to brainstorm possibilities of how to support the Baltic Sea Region Youth Camp 2019 to make it a real powerful initiative for youth participation in the BSR.

The Youth Camp will take place on June 8-11, right before the next Annual Forum (AF) of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR) in 2019 in Gdansk. It will provide a great opportunity of promoting cultural understanding and a feeling of togetherness in the BSR and contribute to circular and sharing economy & the Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on raising the voice of the youth in the BSR.

— “An idea to increase youth participation in the BSR."

“I heard about the idea of a Baltic Youth Camp for the very first time in December 2017, from our BSSSC Youth Board members”, says Stefan Musolik , one of the coordinators of PA Culture within EUSBSR. “An idea to increase youth participation in the BSR. An idea to use the power of culture to get the younger generations more involved in tackling the challenges the Baltic Sea Region is facing. An idea to increase understanding and a ‘we-feeling’ in the BSR. An idea to involve the youth into the implementation of the EUSBSR and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals’. To make it short: I was inspired by this idea from the youth and now we are here to make this marvellous idea happen!”

The workshop, facilitated by Marcus Hagemann from ARS BALTICA, gathered approximately 20 participants from 6 BSR countries, including Russia, whose enthusiasm and engagement resulted in very fruitful brainstorming sessions. The spirit of creativity, co-creation and togetherness is already there, when it comes to organizing the first Baltic Sea Region Youth Camp. And so much more is to come when the youth- the main actors of this event - will step in soon.

The registration will open in February!

More info about the BYC: www.balticyouthcamp.org/ and on Facebook.