Youth

Lantra Scotland’s Land-based and Aquaculture Learner of the Year 2019 Awards are now open for both individual and school nominations. 

Great news! From today groups across Scotland can apply for Young Start funding to help young people realise their potential. Following a brief pause to refresh the programme, Young Start is back with a life-changing £18 million pounds of dormant banks account funding available for projects that involve young people in their design, running and evaluation.

The Outer Hebrides LEADER 2014-2020 Programme this year launched a unique fund, specifically designed to support Young People. The fund was delivered in partnership with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and the Bridge Community Centre.

Depopulation is a real threat to many of Scotland’s island communities, but a recent study in Uist shows that this chain of islands may be shirking the trend of young people leaving for a more urban lifestyle. It is a striking fact that the registered births in Uist in the Outer Hebrides for 2015, 2016 and 2017 show a 67 per cent increase compared to a decade ago.

The 2018 Scottish Rural Parliament will take place in Stranraer in Dumfries and Galloway on 14th– 16th November. If you live in or are passionate about rural areas in Scotland, you can attend to learn and make your voice heard. This year's theme is "Taking Action".

The event brings together people from rural communities with decision-makers, for three days of celebration and exploration. Participants examine a wide-range of issues affecting rural communities and make recommendations for change.

Amaze Me LEADER is a project developed by the Dumfries & Galloway LEADER Local Action Group to bring young people’s voices to the fore in rural community development. Getting young people involved in local decision making is key to the sustainability of our local communities and Dumfries & Galloway LEADER are keen to support that dialogue on both a local and national level.

Last week, as partners in the Rural Youth Project, the Scottish Rural Network (SRN) attended the first Rural Youth Ideas Festival at Hilton of Aldie Farm, Kinross. The event was attended by over 80 young rural people from all over the world, and we were lucky enough to hear some of their inspirational stories. We were also spoiled with food, drink and entertainment at the festival – not to mention the stunning family farm location.

The Scottish Rural Network (SRN) will be focusing on rural young people this August.

To mark Scotland's Year of Young People 2018, SRN will be posting videos, interviews, project profiles and features through our website, newsletter and social media channels over the course of the month, and encouraging others to join in and add their own content using the hashtag #RuralYouthAugust.