The Young Leaders in Barents (YLIB) programme offers young people the opportunity to learn, grow and gain real experience in sports leadership. Now, after a three-year period of the programme being funded by the Erasmus+, this article brings together the experiences and insights of the participants themselves.

The Games will bring nearly 700 young athletes aged 15–25 to Oulu from Northern Norway, Northern Sweden, and Northern Finland on 21–23 August. A total of 14 different sports will be represented, with local sports clubs involved in organizing each discipline. More than 300 volunteers will be working at the event, and the total budget exceeds €350,000.

The Young Leaders in Barents (YLIB) group came together in Piteå for a weekend meeting that combined planning for upcoming Barents Games, developing new ideas and simply enjoying time together in a relaxed and open atmosphere.

Last weekend Oulu hosted meetings of the International Barents Sports Committee (BSC) and Young Leaders in Barents (YLIB), bringing together key actors involved in the development of the Barents Games. The meetings were held at Lapland Hotel Oulu, providing a central setting for discussions on upcoming events and preparations for the Barents Summer Games.

It's time to discover Oulu, the host city of the Barents Summer Games 2026! This vibrant city in Northern Finland combines Arctic nature, a maritime environment, and dynamic urban culture in a way that offers unforgettable experiences for both athletes and visitors.

The preparations for the Barents Summer Games 2026 are supported by the Barents Sports Development Project, which aims to strengthen expertise in event organization, responsibility, and shared operating models.

Oulu is preparing to host an international youth sports event as the Barents Summer Games 2026 will take place in the city in August 2026.

Over the past few days, representatives from Barents Sports have visited Oulu and Piteå to continue preparations for two major upcoming events: Barents Summer Games 2026 (BSG26) in Oulu and Barents Winter Games 2027 (BWG27) in Piteå.

We’re thrilled to announce that the invitations for Barents Summer Games 2026 have officially been sent out!

Dear athletes, team leaders, and referees from all participating sports in Norway, Sweden, and Finland.

Thank you all for your incredible effort and contribution, which made the Barents Winter Games 2025 in Alta such a memorable and successful event.

Pictures from Friday!

Just two weeks until we meet in Alta, for an unforgettable weekend!

In just a few weeks, from March 28th to 30th, Barents Winter Games Alta 2025 will kick off — the first ever to be held in Finnmark.

Lisell Bang shares her thoughts about Barents Games and the impact the event has on the region.

This past weekend, the Barents Sports Committee Norway (BSCN) held a successful board meeting in Alta, where the upcoming event, scheduled for March 28–30, took center stage. The committee visited the various venues in collaboration with local organizing clubs to ensure everything is on track.

Join as a Volunteer at the Barents Winter Games 2025 in Alta!

Do you want to be part of creating an unforgettable event? The Barents Winter Games 2025 will be coming to Alta from 28 to 30 March, and we need committed volunteers to make it a success!

Barents Winter Games 2025
Join us in Alta from March 28 to 30 for an unforgettable celebration of sports and friendship. Athletes from the northern region will compete in this unique event promoting collaboration and inclusion across the Barents region.

Are you our next YLIB participant?
Did you know that we have a unique leadership program for young people in sports within the Barents region? The program is called YLIB – Young Leaders in Barents – and we are now looking for new participants for the upcoming two-year program.

The Barents Games 2024 have wrapped up!

During the Barents Summer Games, we are excited to collaborate with Jamk on an important research project.

By participating in a brief survey, you can help shape the future of youth sports and non-profit activities in the Barents region.