Arrival and Opening in Helsinki

The event began in the Arthur Hotel (run by YMCA Finland) with an introduction to the programme and participant presentations in the Pecha Kucha format. This proved to be an excellent way to get to know the other participants and learn about the diverse regional backgrounds they represented. From the very first evening, it became clear that the event was not only about formal discussions, but also about building connections and fostering a sense of community among young people from the Baltic Sea Region. The group dinner further strengthened this atmosphere and encouraged informal exchange.

Workshops on Artificial Intelligence, Environment

A central part of the programme focused on the major challenges and opportunities facing young people in the region. One workshop facilitated by Justus and Elias explored artificial intelligence and Baltic youth, highlighting both the opportunities and the risks associated with emerging technologies. Another session addressed environmental challenges in the Baltic Sea Region, demonstrating how closely youth concerns are connected to broader ecological developments. During the discussions, Rüdiger Strempel, Director of HELCOM, encouraged greater youth participation within the organisation. We will further explore the possibility of becoming a HELCOM Observer NGO.

Youth, Peace and Security

In the afternoon, the workshop on Youth, Peace and Security emphasized the importance of resilience and participation, especially in times of uncertainty. These sessions showed that youth policy in the Baltic Sea Region must address not only individual issues, but also the interconnection between technology, the environment, and democratic youth participation.

The workshop was facilitated by three members of YMCA Finland. Together with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, they have implemented the UN Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security in Finland — in our view, a lighthouse project for youth participation and resilience in the Baltic Sea Region.

We will continue working on this topic next year in Klaipėda, as we also met the NORDEN Association Youth Coordinator from Vilnius, who offered valuable expertise on the UN Youth, Peace and Security Resolution.

Oodi Library: A Space for Community and Inclusion

A visit to the Oodi Library in the heart of Helsinki offered insight into a new vision of what a public library can be. More than simply a place for books, Oodi is a vibrant and inclusive meeting space open to everyone. At a time of shrinking public spaces and increasing social division, it stands out as a welcoming environment that brings people together and fosters community.

Intercultural Perspectives and Mental Health

Another important element of the programme was the workshop on intercultural perspectives, presented by Kamile and Viktoria from the, and the session on mental health in times of crisis, led by Elena and Miro from.

Both topics were particularly relevant, as they demonstrated that resilience is not only a political concept, but also a social and personal one. 

The discussions created space for reflection on how young people experience crises differently and why cross-border cooperation is essential in responding effectively to these challenges. The final wrap-up session in Helsinki brought these ideas together and focused on drafting proposals and resolution points. This gave participants a concrete sense of what had been achieved and learned during the days spent together in Helsinki.

From Helsinki to Tallinn: Connecting the Baltic Sea Region

The transfer from Helsinki to Tallinn by ferry was more than just a logistical part of the programme. It also symbolized the close connection between the two cities and the Baltic Sea Region as a shared political and geographical space.

After arriving in Tallinn, the focus of the event shifted toward the BSSSC Day of Cities and Regions and the EUSBSR Annual Forum 2026. This part of the programme brought the youth event into a broader political context and linked youth perspectives directly to regional and macro-regional debates.

Regional Challenges and Political Discussions in Tallinn

In Tallinn, the main themes were security, geopolitical uncertainty, economic resilience, climate change, demographic shifts, governance, and financing. The keynotes and panel discussions underlined how strongly cities and regions are affected by external crises and structural change.

At the same time, the programme showed that local and regional actors play a decisive role in finding practical solutions. This was particularly visible in the panel on cities and regions on the frontline, as well as in the deep-dive policy lab and the breakout sessions during the EUSBSR Annual Forum.

Youth Participation as a Core Element

One of the most valuable aspects of the event was the combination of formal political content and active youth participation. The programme did not treat young people as passive listeners, but as actors who can contribute ideas, raise concerns, and help shape regional cooperation.

This was also reflected in the structure of the event itself, where workshops, discussions, and networking moments were placed alongside keynote speeches and policy sessions. As a result, the event felt both professional and open, which made it possible to learn from the content while also engaging with others on an equal footing.

Youth Voices in the Panel Discussion

During the panel discussion on “Cities and regions on the frontline: practical actions for building security, resilience and competitiveness”, the two BSSSC Youth participants, Kamile from the and Miro from, highlighted the importance of including young people in shaping resilient and competitive societies.

Kamile emphasized that youth are essential for keeping society united. However, she stressed that young people must be involved from the very beginning of decision-making processes, as youth participation often comes too late to have a real influence. Referring to the “Declaration by Young People on the Future of Territorial Cooperation”, she underlined the need for meaningful and structured youth engagement.

She also pointed to practical opportunities for participation, such as the Interreg Northern Periphery and Arctic (NPA) Youth Call — a dedicated funding programme empowering young people aged 18–35 to lead transnational projects through simplified and flexible application procedures designed for small organisations.

Miro highlighted that extremism is not simply the result of social media consumption. In his view, social media mainly functions as a tool that makes extreme opinions more visible. What young people truly need, he argued, is trust, representation, and genuine opportunities to participate in society. He stressed that meaningful participation must be accessible to all young people — not only to the privileged few. Therefore we need empowered young people and improved access to EU programmes like INTERREG.

Youth and sovereign artificial intelligence

During the EUSBSR Annual Forum, Justus from Brandenburg participated in the panel discussion “Sovereign Intelligence – Strengthening Baltic Resilience through AI Local Value”. Representing the Baltic Sea Region Youth perspective, he emphasized the growing importance of artificial intelligence in shaping societies, economies, and the broader security environment.

At the same time, he pointed out that Europe is still not fully realising its potential in the field of AI, particularly due to limited capacities to develop and operate sovereign AI models and the necessary data centre infrastructure. This dependency on external actors creates challenges for technological sovereignty, data security, and strategic autonomy.

Strengthening Europe’s ability to develop, maintain, and govern its own AI systems and digital infrastructure is therefore essential for ensuring resilience, competitiveness, and democratic control in an increasingly digital and interconnected world.

Conclusion

Overall, the BSSSC Spring Youth Event 2026 was an enriching and highly relevant experience. It provided insights into current political challenges in the Baltic Sea Region and showed how important youth perspectives are for building resilience and long-term cooperation.

At the same time, it offered a valuable opportunity to connect with other young people, exchange ideas, and become part of a wider regional network. The event made clear that youth participation is not an additional element, but a necessary part of shaping the future of the Baltic Sea Region.

Article prepared by Christopher Lucht (BSSSC Youth Coordinator) and Marlene Seifert (BSSSC Youth Brandenburg)