131 Youth vs 110 Politicians

What went down at ReGeneration Week 2025?

Youth at ReGeneration Week talk to politicians at the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Forum. Phoot credit Ugne Budiunaite/ReGeneration 2030

As young people, we have grown up amongst escalating environmental crises, witnessing disasters that threaten our security and cast into doubt our dreams of a future we can flourish in. But we refuse to be bystanders. 

Between the 22nd and 26th August 2025, 126 young people from around the Nordic and Baltic Sea region gathered in Mariehamn, Åland, to discuss our future in the era of environmental collapse. The eight edition of ReGeneration Week since its debut in 2018 consisted of five intense days where we workshopped, listened, created, debated, danced, marched, and sung together. Then, we took our ideas and demands directly to 100 of our regions’ politicians, to make our case for the safety of our future. The Youth Forum for the BSPC was run at ReGeneration Week 2025 and we are grateful for the opporunity to meet and talk to so many powerful politicians from around our region.

So, what went down?

ONE. We convinced politicians to use their power to change the system, stop climate collapse, and save our future.

We know that governments are one of the only organisations big enough to change the system and stop climate collapse and biodiversity loss. But doing so requires taking action that goes against existing power structures and ways of thinking. Youth lobbying of leaders has been an effective way to unlock this action in the past.

That’s why we brought together over 100 youth and 100 politicians from around the region for focussed, in-depth, youth-led discussions on the biggest issues our generations faced.

The resolutions were tough. The conversations were challenging. But coming out of the dialogues, youth felt that, in the words of one volunteer, “at least some of the politicians had heard us, and would take on board our recommendations and demands that they fight for our future”.

TWO. We built skills and faith in democratic dialogue amongst youth.

Many young people feel disenfranchised with mainstream political processes and not represented in their functioning. Membership in political organisations, including political parties, is declining. Together with increasing social isolation and falling participation in traditional democratic forms, this contributes to a growing sense of hopelessness and alienation in our generation - a demonstrated core factor in declining mental health.  At the same time, we know we need to engage states in the fight for our future - and engaging with politicians is one of the best ways to influence states. 

Therefore we used the opportunity of the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Youth Forum to build our generation’s understanding, skills and faith in democratic dialogue. And coming out of the Week, the majority of youth filling out the debrief form said that they felt better prepared to talk to politicians and demand climate action. 

“Parliaments can feel very distant, and almost untouchable to many youths. Being able to actually go into a Parliament - it made it feel not so distant. Learning the environment and the vibe of the spaces, and how things function - this helps you move forward, and authorities feel less big and scary” - Youth, Åland

THREE. We strengthened the Nordic-Baltic youth environmental movement

Our region is diverse. A dozen countries identify as the Nordics & Baltic Sea area, each one with their own language, history, and culture. Climate justice affects the entire region, and actions against it must collectively transcend national borders to be more impactful. In addition, the effects of environmental degradation are often disproportionately felt by marginalised communities, so our efforts must be inclusive and include a broad perspective to amplify their voices, share knowledge and advocate for policies that are fair and just.

At ReGeneration Week, 67% of the youth taking part were representing a youth, environmental and/or justice group. 

“I met lots of new people, and people I already knew, and strengthened my relationship to them” - Youth, 19, Germany

“Meeting so many incredible people [was great]! I feel inspired and - dare I say - regenerated in my organising capacities.” - Youth, 26

We are engaged in a marathon fight

To avoid the most severe consequences of climate change that threatens our generation’s safety. At this edition of ReGeneration Week, we urged senior decision-makers from across our region to  intensify all efforts in combating global warming and strengthen the resilience of young people in the face of its impacts. The world is in a polycrisis on multiple fronts, and the climate crisis has to be our strongest worry - this is what unites ReGeneration 2030 and what we fight for - ReGeneration Week 2025 Core Team

Want to join the fight?  ReGeneration 2030 Slack to hear opportunities to get involved in the network's actions.

Right now the Advocacy Working group is challenging the Wolin oil extraction in the Polish Baltic Sea.

Join us by messaging Jannat or Dagnija on Slack or emailing sikaadagnija@gmail.com

ReGeneration Week 2025. Photo credit Ivar Jansson/ReGeneration 2030