Cover of the Youth Recommendations adopted at the BSPC Youth Forum 2025 in Mariehamn

YOUTH FORUM OF THEBALTIC SEA PARLIAMENTARYCONFERENCE 2025FINAL RECOMMENDATIONSSECURITY→ Climate change is a growing andurgent threat to the national securityof all nations, especially those in theBaltic Sea region. It acts as a threatmultiplier exacerbating existing socialand ecological vulnerabilities by,among others, creating more frequentand intense natural disasters,displacing populations andexacerbating the root causes ofconflict. → Recognising this, we demand thatnational governments recogniseclimate change as a security threat intheir constitutions or other relevantdocuments.Our reliance on fossil fuelimports makes us vulnerable tosabotage, volatile prices and pressurefrom foreign powers and underminesour sovereignty and energy security.Meanwhile over-reliance on fossil fuelscontributes to climate collapse,escalating extreme weather eventsand long-term threats to thehabitability of our region.States should build diverse renewableenergy infrastructure, includingnecessary grid updates anddecentralised community energy. Thisshould be funded by the terminationof fossil fuel subsidies and taxes on, ordirect take-over of, fossil fuelcompanies. For long-term security,states should strengthen Europeandevelopment and manufacture ofrelevant technologies (such asbatteries, turbines, PV-Cells).CONNECTIVITY→ We urge to empower youngergenerations’ engagement asmeaningful political actors in thepublic sphere. Therefore, we demandto universally lower the voting age to16 on a national level and theminimum age of candidates runningfor parliamentary seats to 18 across theregion. As a necessary starting pointfor mitigating youth politicalmarginalisation, we also demandobligatory involvement of people aged12-30 in decision-making processes,such as strategies and investmentplans.YOUTH FORUM OF THEBALTIC SEA PARLIAMENTARYCONFERENCE 2025FINAL RECOMMENDATIONSRESILIENCE→ Biodiversity loss and lack ofinvestments into wellbeing economiesaround the Baltic Sea are obstacles toa sustainable future. We propose tomitigate marine biodiversity loss andimprove coastal livelihoods in theregion through three pillars.Legislative legitimacy is createdthrough meaningful local and minorityparticipation within decision-makingprocesses that produce bindingrecommendations.Baltic Sea ecosystem services areprotected and restored by introducinglegislation in the form of ecologicallysustainable spatial plans and bindingenvironmental impact assessments forthe region. Investments in small-scaleregenerative agri- and aquaculture,fishing and renewable energyproduction, including a fossil fuelsphase-out, enable sustainable coastalsocieties.→ Mental health problems affect asignificant and growing part of thepopulation, especially young people.Faster and fairer access to qualitymental healthcare improves well-being, resilience, and coping, whilepreventing chronic illness. Shorterwaiting times, equitable access, anddecentralized care - including digitalservices - must be guaranteed tosecure quicker treatment, broaderreach, and better outcomes acrosscommunities.We call for stronger action atmunicipal, national, and regional levelsto increase funding for services,education, and training. This shouldinclude; free therapist education andincreasing places for such training, andintegration of mental education intoschool curricula.