The Biosphere for Baltic – Future Generations (BFB-FG) project aims to engage young people aged 18–28 in efforts to ensure a sustainable Baltic Sea. The objective is to develop new ideas to increase young people’s participation in the work of biosphere reserves and to create a transnational network for young people.

In the summer of 2025, around thirty young adults from ten biosphere reserves in six countries around the Baltic Sea gathered in Kristianstads Vattenrike Biosphere Reserve. They took part in a youth forum as part of the ‘Biosphere for Baltic – Future Generations’ project, funded by the Swedish Institute.

During four intensive days at the Youth Forum, participants were able to gain an in-depth understanding of the work carried out in biosphere reserves and explore nature-based solutions to preserve and improve the ecosystem of the Baltic Sea.

Through collaboration within the Biosphere for Baltic network, the shared challenge of engaging young adults in biosphere work was identified.

A youth forum is a way of fostering engagement and building networks among young adults in the Baltic Sea region.

In addition to the youth forum, five webinars have been held as part of the project to share experiences of informing, inspiring and involving young adults in the activities of the biosphere reserves that form part of the Biosphere for Baltic network. External organisations were also invited to share their experiences as well as details of successful projects.

The forum resulted in a call to action in which participants set out their visions for the future and the first steps that need to be taken to achieve them at local, national and international levels. The visions were presented to representatives from the Swedish National Commission for UNESCO, HELCOM, the Swedish Institute for the Marine Environment, Kristianstad University and the municipal leadership of Kristianstad Municipality.

The Biosphere for Baltic network has been collaborating on various projects for several years. This is the third time the network has applied for and received funding from the Swedish Institute.

Project title: Biosphere for Baltic – Future Generations
Participants: Kristianstads Vattenrike Biosphere Reserve, Blekinge Archipelago Biosphere Reserve, Nedre Dalälven Biosphere Reserve, Vindelälven-Juhttátahkka Biosphere Reserve, Mön Biosphere Reserve, Southeast Rügen Biosphere Reserve, Archipelago Sea Area Biosphere Reserve, North Karelia Biosphere Reserve, Slowinski Biosphere Reserve, Zuvintas Biosphere Reserve, West Estonian Archipelago Biospehere Reserve, North Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve
Funder: Swedish Institute, Kristianstad Municipality
Duration: 2024-2026
Contact: Åsa Pearce asa.pearce@kristianstad.se