On November 6-8, 2009 a forum of Lithuanian and Kaliningrad region youth took place in Kaliningrad, Russian Federation. The forum was organized by the Eastern Europe Studies Centre in cooperation with Lithuanian Youth Council and Youth Government of Kaliningrad region. Initiated by youth the forum was designed to serve as a platform for the communication of the leaders of youth organizations to discuss possible areas of cooperation and outline the future projects.

The participants of the forum were 22 Lithuanians, representing 15 non-governmental youth organizations, Institute of International Relations and Political Science Vilnius University and Eastern European Studies Centre and 18 Russians from 8 youth organizations, I. Kant University and Lithuanian language courses. The participants exchanged information about their organizations, learned about the benefits of international cooperation and the financial resources available for that. In the workshops on culture, ecology/economy, education and social issues the participants developed the ideas and plans for potential common projects.

The program of the forum was developed through a close cooperation of all organizers after agreeing on common vision, goals and principles. The organizers wished to give the impulse for the interaction between the civic sectors of neighboring countries and empower the youth organizations with knowledge and experience, valuable for cooperation, through opening the floor for the input from participants. On the first day the Lithuanians were welcomed at the I. Kant University and greeted by the Kaliningrad regional government's and University's officials. The students of Lithuanian language introduced their university and showed around in city. The socialization continued at the dinner. The active interaction and discussions on the following day were introduced by addresses of organizers and trainers. The leader of Kaliningrad's youth organization "Cunami" shared the experience of successful cooperation with the Union of youth organizations in Marijampole, Lithuania. For the presentation of represented organizations was used the interactive method, enabling simultaneously get the basic information and identify targets according to one's interests.

The morning session was followed by splitting to the workshops in the topics chosen by participants: culture, ecology/economy, education and social issues. Every group discussed the needs and possibilities for potential cooperation in the chosen field. The groups outlined the projects' drafts and presented it in the plenary meeting. The presentations proved that cooperation could be most fruitful between the university students' organizations. The language courses and academic exchanges are desirable for the youth of both countries. Though Kaliningrad's youth give priority to business, ecological projects could be successful too. The economy/ecology workshop discussed about eco-business and the need to foster the culture of ecology. The joint cleaning actions of common natural resources, i.e. river Nemunas and Curonian spit, could bring societies closer and encourage the governments to pay more attention to the environment and the good neighborhood policy. Cooperation in the cultural and social dimensions is also likely. However the images of proper forms of artistic expression differ among Lithuanian and Kaliningrad youth. The lack of participating organizations directly related to art was perceptible in the forum.

Some of the developed ideas for the projects were a bit vague and need rethinking keeping in mind the actual needs of Lithuanian and Kaliningrad societies as well as resources available. The main success of the forum is the intercultural understanding and personal ties of the participants established through the activities and non-formal communication during the forum. This is the vital base for cooperation. 

The forum could be followed up by various events in Lithuania and Kaliningrad, based on the developed ideas in the mentioned spheres. The future activities should be focused on the particular topics and target the organizations working in that particular field. The continuation of the cooperation is highly desirable by majority of the participants and depends mainly on the initiatives of the young people in both countries