Empowering youth at Arctic Youth Conference
Last weekend, Interreg NPA participated in the Arctic Youth Conference in Tromsø, hosted by the Norwegian Chairmanship of the Arctic Council. More than 300 participants, ranging from youth to those young at heart, came together to share their experiences of life across the Arctic and near-Arctic regions and voice their needs.
At the Arctic Youth Conference, young voices from across the Arctic and near-Arctic regions gathered to share their priorities with policymakers. The key message was clear: youth want to be taken seriously, not just invited to discussions, but actively listened to, with their ideas implemented. Their call for recognition was echoed throughout the event.
A central theme of the conference was mental health and well-being, with youth urging for more focus and support in these areas. Participants also highlighted the need for mentorship programs to guide the next generation of leaders, stressing the importance of community, friendship, and like-minded people who can support each other.
The youth emphasized that belonging means being seen and heard. No one should be left behind, and collaboration at all levels is essential to ensure their voices are respected and acted upon.
Turning ideas into reality
Key themes emerged throughout the Conference, including the importance of young people working together across borders, taking an active role in shaping communities to meet the needs of future generations, and the ongoing challenge of securing funding.
In response to these challenges, Interreg NPA, in collaboration with the Norwegian Barents Secretariat, hosted a workshop designed to help participants craft successful project applications and secure the funding needed to turn their ideas into reality.
The session was well-received, with around 50 participants taking part. Attendees were guided through a simplified template, learning how to approach project development and understand the critical questions that must be addressed in any funding application. By mastering these essentials, participants gained the tools needed to strengthen their applications and increase their chances of success.
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Think as a project developer! Download this template to learn how to approach project development in 6 steps! |
