WHAT’S “BARENTS”?
The Barents region stretches over four countries up north: Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia. The northern areas of these countries has been cooperating and done trading with each other for ages, but the formal cooperation within the Barents Euro-Arctic Region (yeah that’s the full name) was decided in 1993 at a conference in Kirkenes, Norway.
We got a lot in common up north, and we also have a lot to learn from each other. Stuff that are the same around here are things like great nature, long distances between the cities (but short distances within the cities as they generally are quite small), we have loads of natural resources but not that much people.
ORGANISATIONS
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Barents Regional Youth Council (BRYC) Location: all over Barents (Kan sättas på Kirkenes, det är Barentshuvudstaden eftersom det var där avtalet kom till 1993) It all started with the youth council. We both became BRYC-ers 5 years ago, where we have learnt loads about international youth work. The youth council has the mission to strengthen the youth cooperation in the Barents region and empower young people to actively participate in the shaping of the Barents region and the society in which they live. Every year we gather youth to a creative and inspiring event, which this year will be a Barents Passion Week in Kirkenes in October. BRYC consists of one youth representative from each county, oblast, republic, okrug in the region. There is also one representative for the indigenous youths (sami, veps, nenets). If you fancy getting in touch with BRYC or participate at the Passion Week, send an e-mail to your regional representative. You can find the representatives and their contacts here. You can also visit their Blog The Norwegian Barents Secretariat If you have ever thought of starting up an international youth project of any kind, let Laila Dalhaug know. Laila is working at The Norwegian Barents Secretariat and she has helped us loads of times when we have struggled in finding our way of international projects. Laila is our Barents Mama and she’s been around since the start of the Barents cooperation back in ’93 so she’s got a whole bunch of good contacts. And the best part is that the Barents Secretariat also have their own funds for different projects. The secretariat is owned by the counties of Finnmark, Troms and Nordland. The primary task of the Barents Secretariat is to assist the Barents Regional Council, Norwegian Authorities and other major regional structures. The Barents Youth Cooperation Office (BYCO) Maria Petrova at the BYCO office in Murmansk provides help, information, guidance and partners for youth groups, organizations and networks that are working with cross-border youth projects in the Barents region. She is brilliant so let her know if you need any help on the Russian side. Allianssi Allianssi is the national youth council of Finland. With more than one hundred member organizations, Alliansi has a big network of partners both in Finland and internationally. Check out their site for updates on what is going on in Finland. European Youth Forum European Youth Forum consists of more than 90 National Youth Councils and International Non-Governmental Youth Organizations from all over Europe. Their aim is to defend the interests of young people in Europe and the work to empower young people to participate actively in society to improve their own lives. The Youth Forum is currently working on an European convention on youth rights, where the voice of the youth of Barents will be included through The Reggae Rock and Rights Tour. FN-sambandet Region Nord FN-Sambandet has a long experience of working with human rights and are a great support for us when we are designing our workshops about youth rights. Humlan Humlan is a non-profit culture organization located in Umeå, Sweden. Their main goal is to produce good quality music, cinema and theater events. Humlan has great experience in organizing festivals and are among other things doing Umeå Open – the biggest indoor festival in Sweden. Landsrådet for Norges barne- og ungdomsorganisasjoner (LNU) LNU is an umbrella organisation for more than 70 Norwegian non-governmental organizations for children and youth. Among their members are organizations working in a wide range of areas: from education and politics trough culture and music to scouting and religious work. Nuori Kulttuuri Nuori Kulttuuri, young culture, aims to offer young amateur artists an opportunity to show their skills and match them against those of other performers locally and nation-wide. Municipal offices for youth arrange local Nuori Kulttuuri events, while as the The Ministry of Education and the municipalities host the national events. Riddu Riddu festival Plan in a trip to the greatest summer party – the Riddu Riddu festival in Kåfjord. This year Wimme Sarri and Mari Boine will perform at the festival, among with Nanook from Greenland and many other bands. When: 21 – 25 July Sáminuorra Sáminuorra is the national sami youth organisation in Sweden, working for sami youth both nationally and internationally. Sáminuorra cooperate with the sami youth organisations in Norway (Noereh!), Finland (Suoma Sámi Nuorat), Russia (Nuurash). You can also become friend with them on Facebook
She’s got the beat is a feminist music association located in Umeå, Sweden. Their purpose is to promote women in the music industry and to make women’s voices heard and to alter obsolete attitudes towards female musicians. The KaosPilots: School of New Business & Social Innovation The purpose of the KaosPilot School is to create positive societal change through professional and personal growth, and it creates the frames where young, creative minds become leaders. The KaosPilot School is our creative cooperation partner, and they give us great support on school workshops and the planning and implementation on the tour.
Tvibit is a culture-house for young people between the ages of 15 and 25. Tvibit’s mission is to take an active stance against negative commercial ideals and diagnostic thinking by offering an active environment wherein young people can take control of their own situations and form their own identities. Täfteåfestivalen Täfteåfestivalen is a free festival in the beautiful village of Täfteå in Västerbotten. Enjoy some great music, play beach volley down at the sea or dance like crazy in the party tent. Some of the bands that are playing are Kultiration (SE), Cyaneed (NO), The Crystal Caravan (SE) and Bernays Propaganda (Makedonia) When? 4 – 5 June Nordland County Council Norrbotten County administrative board Troms County Council Västerbotten County administrative board |
