YOUTH FORUM IN BALTIC STATES

<< Background >>Consortium applied for this project to address the gap in youth participation and engagement in the Baltic States. We recognized the need to provide a platform for young people to voice their concerns, participate in decision-making processes, and contribute to shaping the policies that affect their lives. Also we wanted to share experiences between Baltic countries.Main aims:Increase youth participation: Many young people, especially felt excluded from decision-making processes. The Youth Forum provided a space for them to express their opinions and influence policy development.Strengthen youth engagement: Aim was to foster a sense of civic responsibility and empower young people to become active citizens. The Forum provided youngsters with the tools, opportunities, and support to engage in civic and democratic processes.Improve youth policy: By gathering input from young people, we aimed to inform and enhance youth policies in the Baltic States. The Forum served as a source of innovative ideas and recommendations for policymakers.Foster regional collaboration: The Youth Forum promoted cooperation and exchange of best practices among young people and stakeholders from different Baltic countries.<< Objectives >>Main results of what the consortium wanted to achieve:Successful Youth Forums: Organize two Youth Forums in each partner city, and create unified Youth Forum concept.Knowledge Sharing: Organize three study visits to promote the exchange of knowledge and best practices in youth policy, empowerment, and participation among partners.Increased Youth Participation: Observe an increase in youth participation in decision-making processes within partner cities.Policy Recommendations: Develop proposals outlining recommendations to improve conditions for youth and create more youth-friendly environments.Effective Communication: Implement a communication campaign to raise awareness of youth participation and opinion in partner regions.Cultural Exchange: Foster intercultural learning and understanding among participants through the project.Stakeholder Engagement: Involve relevant stakeholders and politicians in the project to ensure policy relevance and sustainability.Diverse Participation: Reach at least 25 young people from various backgrounds, including those with fewer opportunities and disabilities, who participate in different phases of the project.<< Implementation >>The consortium implemented three activities:Baltic Youth Forum in Liepaja region:Organize 2 youth forums, one study visit, one advanced planning visit (APV), communication campaign Baltic Youth Forum in Klaipėda region:Organize 2 youth forums, one study visit, communication campaign Baltic Youth Forum in Tallinn regionOrganize 2 youth forums, one study visit, communication campaign << Results >>Project outputs:2 Youth Forums in every partner city Youth Forum concept in Baltic states3 study visits to share experience in youth policy and youth empowerment and participationIncreased Youth participation in partner cities6 proposals (2 per partner) on how to improve conditions for youth and make it more youth-friendlyCommunication campaign in partner regions about youth participation and opinionIntercultural learning between partnersInvolved stakeholders and politicians in the process.One main change was made we had one international and one local youth forum because of the inflation and increased prices in all partner countries.