INVITATION TO APPLY FOR THE Baltic Sea ParliamentaryYouth Forum 2021

Foto: Jacqueline Carsbo/Mostphotos.INVITATION TO APPLY FOR THEBaltic Sea Parliamentary Youth Forum 2021 –Decisionmakers of today meet region builders of tomorrowHow do we secure a democratically and environmentally sustainable future inthe Baltic Sea region?What and why? also to capture valuable input from the young genera-tion, which is of great importance in our common en-♦ Hybrid meeting for young people and members ofdeavour to build back our region – better, greener andparliament from the Baltic Sea regionstronger – after the COVID-19 pandemic. The Youth♦ Discussions and seminars on how to secure a demo-Forum will include a seminar, a panel discussion and acratically and environmentally sustainable futureroundtable discussion on how to secure a democratically♦ Sharing of ideas – vital for renewing and innovatingand environmentally sustainable future, and the out-policymakingcome of the Youth Forum will be presented at the BSPC♦ Promoting youth participation and perspective –annual conference. The Youth Forum will be centredthrough input and insightaround themes that also are high on the BSPC agenda –Sweden currently holds the presidency of the Baltic Seademocracy, climate change and biodiversity – providingParliamentary Conference (BSPC), which is a foruman opportunity for input into the BSPC’s future work,for political dialogue between members of national andand especially into the work of the working group onregional parliaments from the Baltic Sea region, with theclimate change and biodiversity.purpose of raising awareness and opinion on issues ofimportance for the region and supporting various initi- What’s in it for me?atives that promote a sustainable environmental, socialAn opportunity to:and economic development in the region. As part of its♦ give your input to policymakers on how to secure apresidency, Sweden will be hosting the 30th annual con-democratically and environmentally sustainable future;ference of the BSPC on 29–31 August 2021.♦ acquire a greater knowledge of the issues at hand;The Baltic Sea Parliamentary Youth Forum of 2021 will ♦ gain an insight into international parliamentary coop-take place in connection to the annual conference of the eration;BSPC, in an effort to promote dialogue between young ♦ share knowledge and experiences with others;people of the region and policymakers. The purpose is ♦ network.Who can apply? Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC)You can apply if you are: A forum for cooperation, commitment and compe-tence in political dialogue of parliaments, governments♦ between 16–30 years old on the date of the Youthand civil society in the Baltic Sea Region. Aims at raisingForum;awareness and opinion on issues of current political in-♦ based in one of the countries of the Baltic Sea regionterest and relevance for the Baltic Sea Region. The BSPC(Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Latvia,gathers parliamentarians from 11 national parliaments,Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Russian Federation, Swe-11 regional parliaments and 5 parliamentary organiza-den); andtions from: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland,♦ interested in climate change, biodiversity and/or de-Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Russian Federation,mocracy and the Baltic Sea region.Sweden, Bremen, Faroe Islands, Greenland, Hamburg,When, where and how much? Kaliningrad, Karelia Leningrad, Mecklenburg-Vorpom-♦ Saturday, 28 August 2021 mern, St. Petersburg, Schleswig-Holstein and the Åland♦ Digital or in the Swedish Parliament, Stockholm Islands. Learn more here.Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) / Baltic50–60 young representatives will be selected to partic-Sea Youth Platformipate. The Youth Forum will be held in a hybrid formatwhere, if possible due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some An intergovernmental political forum for regional co-of the participants will be invited to participate at the operation. Consisting of 11 Member States and theSwedish Parliament in Stockholm. A digital pre-meeting, European Union, it supports a regional perspective onwhere you will be able to meet the other participants global challenges. Learn more here. The Baltic Sea Youthand prepare for the Youth Forum, will be held in June. Platform is a political platform fostering intergenerationalParticipation is free of charge. dialogue and meaningful youth participation in deci-sion-making in the Baltic Sea Region. Learn more here.Apply by 12 noon (CET), 30 AprilMinistry for Foreign Affairs of SwedenFill in the application form. In the selection of the finalResponsible for Sweden’s foreign, development coop-participants, the goal is to create a diverse and innovativeeration and trade policy and a member of the Councilgroup. Diversity as regards to geography, age, gender,of the Baltic Sea States. Young peoples’ engagement inbackground, fields of interest as well as in the ways ininstitutions and decision-making processes in the Balticwhich the candidates are engaged in the issues at handSea region is important. It gives valuable impetus to ourwill be taken in to account. The selected applicants willcommon efforts to build back better from the COVIDbe notified on 18 May.pandemic to reach a greener, safer, more resilient andABOUT THE ORGANISERS gender equal Baltic Sea region. The results from theBaltic Sea Parliamentary Youth Forum will be a valuableThe Swedish delegation to the BSPCcontribution to the current discussion on youth engage-Hosts of the Youth Forum. Consists of five membersment in the Council of the Baltic Sea States. Learn moreof the Swedish Parliament. Holds the presidency of thehere.BSPC August 2020–August 2021. Learn more about thedelegation and its presidency here.