Barents Youth Cooperation Office (BYCO)

The Barents Youth Cooperation Office provides сounseling, information, education in project management, guidance and all kinds of support for youth groups, organizations and networks working with international youth projects in the Barents region.

    In May of 2001, a conference of ministers responsible for youth affairs in the Barents region was held in Tromsø, Norway. At the conference, a Plan of Action for the future Barents cooperation in the youth field was adopted. In this Plan it was stated that mechanisms for information and guidance for youth groups in the Barents region would be established. In 2002 Barents Youth Cooperation Office (BYCO) was established in Murmansk, Russia.

    The overall objective for the establishment of such a service is a well functioning multilateral cooperation in the youth field that contributes to an improved situation for young people in the Barents Region, as well as a sustainable development of the region.

    BYCO provides information and guidance for youth groups, organizations and networks on:

• national and international resources for funding of projects
• education in project planning, implementation and follow-up 
• possible cooperation partners nationally and internationally 
• planned and ongoing youth projects and meetings in the Barents Region

    BYCO stays in close and regular contact with the regional and local administrations in the Barents Region and with other cooperation structures and organizations working with youth issues in the northern part of Europe.

    BYCO has a unique contact network with youth organizations and youth workers in the entire region, as well as profound competences in project management.

    BYCO is located in Murmansk, but coordinator actively travels in the entire Barents region, providing counseling for the young people of the whole Barents region. If you want to know more about possibilities for youth cooperation in the Barents region or have a project idea you want to discuss, or need support in implementing your project – do not hesitate to contact BYCO!

    Barents Youth Cooperation Office is funded by the Ministries responsible for youth affairs in Russia, Finland, Sweden and Norway as a part of the youth cooperation under the Barents Euro-Arctic Council.

    BYCO reports to the Joint Working Group on Youth, consisting of the representatives of Ministries responsible for youth affairs in Russia, Finland, Sweden and Norway and regional youth authorities.

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