Youth on Europe 2050 – the Mid-Range Youth Democracy Festival in Kretinga

Youth on Europe 2050 – Mid-Range Youth Democracy Festival in Kretinga, May 13–15, 2026 • Kretinga, Lithuania

The Youth Democratic Festival (YDF) took place in Kretinga from May 13–15. The city, which recently served as the Youth Capital of Lithuania, provided a space for discussion, the exchange of experiences, and workshop-based work on the challenges of the future.

Participants from Lithuania, Poland, Denmark, Sweden, and Germany worked in thematic groups, discussing topics such as artificial intelligence, climate change, the influence of large corporations, and mental health. Each topic was analyzed through a workshop-based approach, which allowed for the development of specific observations and recommendations.

The common conclusion reached by representatives from all countries was the need for a greater sense of security in a rapidly changing world. The young people emphasized the need for support in the areas of digital literacy, mental health protection, and transparency in the actions of institutions and companies.

Participants had the opportunity to work with experts in youth work, civic engagement, and digital literacy. Additionally, sessions were held on expressing concerns and actively participating in the life of the local community. Organizations working on behalf of the younger generation and local initiatives also presented at the event.

The D-Effect Project and Next Steps

The festival is part of the D-Effect project—Lessons in Democracy and Civil Society—which aims to incorporate the youth perspective into the EU policy-making process. The project includes a series of three Youth Democracy Festivals: a pilot, a medium-scale, and a large-scale event in each of the partner countries. The next stage in Lithuania will be the Large-Scale Youth Democracy Festival, based on the conclusions from the Round Tables and previous events.

Roundtable in Olsztynek as part of the D-Effect project - joint planning of the Youth Democracy Festival

In Olsztynek, a meeting was held as part of the D-Effect project dedicated to preparations for the Youth Democratic Festival (YDF). Young people, representatives of public institutions, non-governmental organizations, and local communities worked together on the concept of the event, identifying the needs of young residents and developing proposals for activities and program elements. The meeting was conducted in the form of a Round Table and formed part of the process of strengthening intergenerational dialogue in the municipality of Olsztynek.


Joint work on the YDF concept
The event in Olsztynek was implemented within the D-Effect project, which aims to develop youth participation mechanisms and create spaces for co-decision-making on local matters.
The meeting focused on preparing the assumptions for the Youth Democratic Festival. Participants analyzed what type of event would respond to the needs of young people, which topics should be included, and what forms of activity could increase engagement within the local community.

Youth voice and diagnosis of local needs
The first part of the meeting was dedicated to the work of young people from Olsztynek. Participants identified elements that are important for their daily life in the town, as well as areas requiring change or further development. Young participants then developed proposals for the Youth Democratic Festival, indicating possible activities, thematic directions, and solutions that, in their view, should be included in the event programme.

Perspective of institutions and local partners
The second part of the meeting brought together representatives of public institutions, non-governmental organizations, educational units, and local social initiatives. Based on the youth’s conclusions and proposals, the feasibility of implementing individual ideas was analyzed, and the potential contribution of partners to the future YDF was discussed.
The discussion focused on combining institutional experience with the perspectives of young residents and building a coherent event programme based on cooperation.

Key areas of work
During the meeting, particular attention was paid to identifying the needs of young people in the municipality of Olsztynek, defining possible themes and formats of the Youth Democratic Festival, designing activities engaging different social groups, and strengthening cooperation between youth, institutions, and local organizations.
The meeting created a space for direct dialogue and joint development of solutions based on local resources and experiences.

Next stages
The developed proposals will be discussed again at the next Round Table in Olsztynek, scheduled for the summer period. Based on them, the programme of the Youth Democratic Festival will be developed as a result of joint work between young people and local partners.
The event was attended by representatives of, among others, the Municipal Office in Olsztynek, Mayor of Olsztynek Robert Waraksa, members of the Municipal Council, School and Preschool Complex in Waplewo, OSP Olsztynek, Start Olsztynek – Club for People with Disabilities, Senior Council in Olsztynek, Active Municipality initiative, Association “Po godzinach,” Municipal Social Welfare Center in Olsztynek, Mayor’s Plenipotentiary for Prevention, University of the Third Age, Municipal Library in Olsztynek, Association of People with Diabetes, and students from schools in the municipality of Olsztynek.

About the D-Effect project
The D-Effect project supports the development of youth civic participation tools, including Round Tables and Youth Democratic Festivals (YDF). Its aim is to strengthen cooperation between young residents, public institutions, and social organizations in local decision-making processes.

Round Table in the D-Effect project in Elbląg youth and institutions co-design the autumn YDF edition

A meeting within the D-Effect project was held in Elbląg, bringing together young people, representatives of institutions, and local organisations. The main objective was to summarise ongoing activities and develop the framework for the autumn edition of the Youth Democratic Festival (YDF).

Review of key conclusions from the first Round Table

The meeting began with a review of the main outcomes from the first Round Table involving youth and institutional partners. Participants revisited identified needs related to youth participation in decision making processes and the quality of cooperation between sectors.

The discussion also highlighted lessons learned from previous collaboration experiences. These showed both strong potential for cross sector partnerships and areas requiring improved coordination, clearer communication, and earlier involvement of young people in planning processes.

Evaluation of the pilot Youth Democratic Festival 2025

A detailed evaluation of the pilot YDF edition held in 2025 in Elbląg followed. Participants analysed the applied working methods and the level of youth engagement, which was assessed as high and active.

At the same time, several organisational and communication barriers were identified. These included coordination challenges between partners, logistical issues, and the need to better align the event format with the expectations of young participants. The conclusions will be used to refine future editions of the festival.

Developing the concept for the autumn YDF edition

The next part of the meeting focused on designing the upcoming autumn edition of the Youth Democratic Festival. The session had a workshop format and included mapping program ideas alongside available institutional and organisational resources.

Participants identified potential thematic areas for the festival and matched them with concrete capacities of partner organisations. This allowed for linking conceptual ideas with realistic implementation possibilities in terms of human, organisational, and institutional resources.

Key discussion areas

The discussion centred on several guiding questions related to the future shape of the event. These included what young people want to contribute to the festival, how institutions and organisations can support their involvement, and what resources are already available within the local ecosystem.

Another important topic was the next steps in the cooperation process, with emphasis on ensuring a more coherent and structured preparation phase based on a partnership driven model.

Conclusions and significance of the meeting

The outcomes and ideas developed during the Round Table will form the basis for the framework of the autumn Youth Democratic Festival in Elbląg. The meeting reinforced the importance of strengthening youth participation structures and further developing local cooperation mechanisms between young people and institutions.

Participants

The meeting gathered representatives from:

BALTWRECK project - Mid-Term Interviews

The BALTWRECK project has now reached its mid-term stage. Since the beginning of the project, partners and experts from the Baltic Sea Region have been working together to address environmental risks associated with shipwrecks and potential leaks of hazardous substances.

We present a video in which representatives of the project consortium summarize the progress achieved so far, share insights from the first phase of implementation, and outline priorities for the coming months. The interviews also highlight the importance of international cooperation in protecting the marine environment of the Baltic Sea.

In the interviews, the experts speak about: the key achievements and results of the project so far, conclusions from the first phase of project implementation, activities already completed and current priority areas, motivations and inspirations behind the project activities, expected outcomes and future goals of the project.

We invite you to watch the video:

Management of sunken munitions and their environmental impact - registration for the Stakeholder Dialogue Event in Belgium

Managing submerged munitions and their environmental impact is one of the key topics of international cooperation in Europe’s marine regions.

On 4 June 2026, the Stakeholder Dialogue Event will take place in Oostende, Belgium, organized within the REMARCO project (https://lnkd.in/dU2Q3yNr) - an initiative carried out by an international consortium of partners from the North Sea region, also cooperating with projects addressing threats related to submerged munitions and wrecks in the Baltic Sea region, including the Baltwreck project.

The event will focus on decision-making processes concerning the removal of unexploded ordnance (UXO), as well as challenges related to the protection of the marine environment. The meeting will bring together scientific experts, policymakers, and practitioners dealing with submerged munitions and the management of contaminated marine areas.
Discussions will cover, among other topics, the environmental impact of munitions, the potential consequences of remediation activities, and the search for more sustainable solutions for UXO management. In the field of research and international cooperation, the MUNIMAP and CONMAR Munition projects are also linked to these efforts.

Registration deadline: 25 May 2026
Oostende, Belgium
Registration: https://lnkd.in/dBHYwdbH

Cooperation and resilience of regions take center stage at the EUSBSR Annual Forum 2026 in Tallinn

Resilience Edition EUSBSR Annual Forum 2026 and BSSSC Day of Cities and Regions in Tallinn.
Promotion of the BaltWreck, CircularMuse and D-Effect projects.

Discussions on the future and resilience of the Baltic Sea Region in Tallinn

On 11–13 May, the Kultuurikatel conference centre in Tallinn hosted a series of events dedicated to regional cooperation, security, and strengthening the resilience of the Baltic Sea Region within the framework of the BSSSC Day of Cities and Regions and the EUSBSR Annual Forum 2026.

The meeting brought together representatives of local and regional authorities, public administrations, international organisations, EU institutions, academia, and youth networks from across the Baltic Sea Region.

Security, energy transition and cross-border cooperation at the core of debates

The programme focused on the key challenges facing the Baltic Sea Region. Major topics included regional security and resilience, cross-border cooperation, energy transition, climate change adaptation, and the development of social innovation.

Participants also discussed the future of cooperation programmes beyond 2027, demographic challenges, regional competitiveness, and joint actions aimed at sustainable development and strengthening the social and economic resilience of the countries of the Baltic Sea Region.

Networking sessions and workshops also played an important role, enabling knowledge exchange and the development of cooperation between partners from different countries.

Promotion of the BaltWreck, CircularMuse and Deffect projects

During the event, the CircularMuse, Deffect, and BaltWreck projects were actively promoted.

Informational materials presenting ongoing activities were displayed in the forum’s networking area, and project representatives actively participated in thematic discussions on regional cooperation, environmental protection, and sustainable development.

International debate on wrecks and submerged munitions in the Baltic Sea

On the second day of the event, within the parallel sessions, the panel “Hidden ‘Treasures’ of the BSR – Munitions and Wrecks in the Sea: Risks, Challenges and Solutions” was held, focusing on environmental threats and maritime safety in the Baltic Sea Region.

The panel addressed the issue of shipwrecks and submerged munitions lying on the seabed of the Baltic Sea. Experts presented the scale of environmental risks associated with corrosion of wrecks and the release of hazardous substances into the marine environment, as well as measures being undertaken to monitor and mitigate these risks.

The BaltWreck project was also represented in the discussion, showcasing its activities aimed at addressing risks related to hazardous wrecks and protecting the marine environment of the Baltic Sea.

Regional cooperation as a key to the future of the Baltic Sea

The Tallinn event served as an important platform for exchanging experience, building partnerships, and strengthening cooperation between cities, regions, and organisations across the Baltic Sea Region.

The discussions demonstrated that effectively addressing current challenges – from environmental security to energy transition – requires long-term international cooperation and jointly developed solutions for the entire region.

Photo: Jolanta Olszewska

Experts on the hidden dangers at the bottom of the Baltic Sea

“Hidden ‘Treasures’ of the Baltic Sea” under expert scrutiny. International debate on wrecks and submerged munitions during the EUSBSR Annual Forum 2026 in Tallinn
Experts from the Baltic Sea Region discussed environmental threats hidden on the seabed

During the international EUSBSR Annual Forum 2026 in Tallinn, a panel session was held dedicated to one of the most pressing environmental challenges of the Baltic Sea Region – shipwrecks and submerged munitions lying on the seabed.

The panel “Hidden ‘Treasures’ of the BSR – Munitions and Wrecks in the Sea: Risks, Challenges and Solutions” was co-organised by partners of the BaltWreck project in cooperation with partners of European initiatives focused on marine environmental safety and mitigating risks related to hazardous objects on the Baltic seabed.

Shipwrecks and submerged munitions as a real threat to the Baltic Sea

Experts participating in the debate emphasised that historical shipwrecks and ammunition resting on the seabed of the Baltic Sea pose an increasing challenge to the natural environment, the maritime economy, and regional safety.

Progressive corrosion of wrecks may lead to the release of hazardous substances into the marine environment, affecting Baltic ecosystems and living organisms. As a result, monitoring activities, risk assessment, and the development of safe mitigation methods are becoming increasingly important.

The session was prepared in cooperation between partners of the BaltWreck, MMinE-SwEEPER, MUNIMAP, ENDURE, and MUNIRISK projects, which share the common goal of strengthening international cooperation in the field of Baltic Sea environmental protection.

International group of experts and research institutions

The debate brought together representatives of public administration, academia, and organisations engaged in environmental safety in the Baltic Sea Region:

The session was opened by Louise Floman, while the panel was moderated by Katarzyna Fidler.

International cooperation as a key to protecting the Baltic Sea

Throughout the discussion, it was repeatedly stressed that effective response to threats posed by wrecks and submerged munitions requires close cooperation between Baltic Sea Region countries, exchange of expert knowledge, and joint development of modern environmental risk management approaches.

The debate combined a high level of substantive expertise with an accessible presentation of issues related to maritime safety and environmental protection. It also provided a space for knowledge exchange between representatives of projects implemented across different parts of the Baltic Sea Region.

The BaltWreck project supports Baltic Sea environmental safety

The BaltWreck project focuses on reducing risks associated with shipwrecks and hazardous substances lying on the seabed of the Baltic Sea. Activities implemented within the project include environmental monitoring, risk analysis, and the development of marine ecosystem protection methods.

Participation in the Tallinn conference provided an opportunity to promote project activities, strengthen international cooperation, and contribute to joint discussions on the future of environmental safety in the Baltic Sea Region.

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In the link below, you can watch a film that is an integral part of the event:
https://lnkd.in/dPXpAuak

Photo: Jolanta Olszewska

The Round Table Method - Joint Dialogue

March was an opportunity for us to practice the Round Table method as part of the D-Effect project—Lessons in Democracy and Civil Society: Bringing a Youth Perspective to EU Policy-Making.

Over 60 students from elementary and secondary schools in Elbląg actively participated in a meeting regarding the upcoming Youth Democratic Festival (YDF), which is a continuation of the 2025 edition.
First and foremost, the participants—with the support of Association staff and the meeting moderator—discussed:

Next step? Summarizing the conclusions and recommendations from the school community and inviting representatives from the local government, cultural institutions, NGOs, and informal groups to further discussions.

The goal? Joint dialogue and co-creation of an event that addresses residents’ needs while engaging diverse groups—that is precisely what the YDF method is all about.

The activities of the D-Effect project enable young people to learn intergenerational and intersectoral dialogue, develop social skills, and actively engage in the life of the local community through collaboration with schools, participation in workshops, and the formulation of practical recommendations.