Climate change, hybrid threats, disinformation, and the rapid development of AI are changing the way we live and how we think about security. These challenges are becoming increasingly important for the Nordic-Baltic region as well.
Building a strong and resilient region cannot only be the responsibility of governments and institutions. It takes people who trust each other, communities that stay connected instead of pulling apart, and young people who have a real opportunity to be part of the conversations and decisions that shape their future.
Where it started...
In September 2024, the first ever Nordic-Baltic Youth Summit brought 250 young people to Vilnius — delegates from the National Youth Councils of Åland, Denmark, Estonia, the Faroe Islands, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden, plus observers from Ukraine. Together they wrote policy recommendations, and they set the agenda for what came next: Youth, Peace and Security – Nordic Baltic Youth Resilience Initiative.
What we're building
The Nordic-Baltic Youth Resilience Initiative builds on that momentum. Led by the Nordic Council of Ministers Office in Lithuania together with the Faroese Youth Council, with support of the Nordic Committee for Children and Young People (NORDBUK) and Nordic Council of Ministers. It brings together youth NGOs from across the region to work on the things that actually matters of our security today:
Civil preparedness
Knowing what to do when things go wrong
Societal resilience
Communities that hold together under pressure
Digital literacy
Spotting disinformation and AI-driven manipulation before it spots you
Psychological well-being
Because resilience isn't just infrastructure, it's people
Youth engagement is one of its core foundations. The approach is built on UN Security Council Resolution 2250, which recognizes young people as important partners in peace and security. It also draws inspiration from Finland’s National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security, as well as initiatives such as Finland’s NouHätä and the Nordic Coalition on Youth, Peace and Security.
The idea is to secure a strong and resilient region, which grows through trust, dialogue, and preparedness. Young people bring their own experiences, perspectives, and ideas to these conversations. Giving them a meaningful role today helps shape a stronger future for the Nordic-Baltic region.
The Nordic-Baltic region deserves our attention and commitment.
See what that looks like in practice!
info@youthpeaceandsecurity.com
Contacts
Nordic Council of Ministers office in Lithuania Didžioji g. 5, Vilnius
LT 01128, Lithuania