THE BSSSC YOUTH WANT

Lower prices on cultural events and attractions

Cultural card - a card that gives youth free admission to certain cultural attractions

Photos: Lars Godbolt, BSSSC

Youth Event 2017

The BSSSC loves working with youth because they provide us with new perspectives, clever ideas and solutions - and tons of energy.

From September 18-20 in Trebnitz, Germany, around 15 youths from the BSSSC Youth Network met to discuss cultural heritage, sustainable development goals (SDGs) and the EU cohesion policy. The youths presented their suggestions at the BSSSC Annual Conference the days after the Youth Event. They also participated as panelists in both workshops on cultural heritage and the SDGs and also in the preliminary sessions.

Video credit: Andreas Schoop

The BSSSC Youth Event - solutions for six SDGs that are very relevant for the Baltic Sea Region

1. Partnerships for sustainable development

Introduce youth organizations/representatives in all the possible international partnerships
Several partnerships, Important to have an adult youth partnership. Great idea to have a mandatory quota for including youth in sustainable development projects.
Support research and development initiatives in relevant to Sustainable Development fields of study, make a mandatory quota for including students/young scientists in these projects.

2. Transition to a sustainable economy

Mandatory recycling
Media campaigns to promote recycling
Making the responsible choice the cheapest choice
Restrict shopping. Promote second-hand shopping
Responsible government procurement

3. Climate action

Phase out gasoline/diesel transport
Limit the emission of climate gases
Outlaw the use of environmentally unfriendly chemicals
Solar panels on roofs. Allow private energy harvesting
BSR CO2-neutral power grid
Green energy without noise/rising costs
BSR exchange of information and international support concerning green energy

4. Equality and social well-being for all

Reducing voting age to 16
Try out participatory budgeting in cities together with young people, allowing young people decide on how to use a certain part of the city budget
Create co-decision-making structures with youth
Create events where young people and decision-makers get to discuss with each other
Make politics understandable. Involve young people in simplifying the language
Same salary for same work, regardless of age or gender

5. Creating Sustainable and Resilient Cities

Changing approaches to developing: create self-sufficient, eco-friendly and comfortable neighborhoods
Stimulate deurbanization initiatives e.g. tax incentives to remove headquarters towards smaller towns/suburban areas, creating new workplaces in suburban and rural areas
Promote circularity in socio-economic systems of urban areas
Develop more places for co-working and gathering to promote cooperation between different professionals and social groups.

6. Quality Education and Lifelong learning for all

Providing youth organisations with meeting places & funding
Provide micro-grants for projects initiated by young people
International BSR youth online platform
Include youth in political discussions and decision-making