Scottish Rural Communities Policy Review: Youth case study

Youth Engagement in Rural Community Policy

Rural and island Scotland has relatively fewer young people in comparison to urban areas. It is particularly important that youth voices and aspirations are present in the delivery of rural policy programmes as a means of engaging young people in the issues facing their local areas. Through doing so, it may encourage those involved to stay in the area, while also addressing some of the issues which drive others to leave.

A key approach to achieving this is through Youth Local Action Groups, which receive Community Led Local Development funding from their Local Action Group. These volunteer-led groups empower young people to lead local projects and influence and inspire community development.

At the time of the research, there were seven active Youth Local Action Groups in Scotland including the Western Isles, Forth Valley and Lomond, the Scottish Borders and the Cairngorms. Some work in partnership with national parks and local authorities, some work closely with their Local Action Group and others are more independent. Some have coordinators employed by a youth organisation or on a self-employed basis.