Youth

With the School Easter holidays upon us the RHET classroom potato projects across Perth and Kinross are well under way.

135 classes have been given the complete kit compost fertiliser and Rocket seed potatoes to grow a crop in the classroom/playground. ISJ Horticulture, garden suppliers of seed potatoes, in Almondbank, have sponsored the program. 

The Scottish Government today announced that 1 April 2025 will see the introduction of free inter-island ferry travel for all island residents under the age of 22 within Orkney, Shetland and the Outer Hebrides.

A recent ‘Growing Tomorrow’s Leaders’ graduation event highlighted the increasing number of professionals seeking structured leadership development.

Scotland’s agri, food and drink, and land-based sectors face an evolving set of challenges - from workforce shortages to economic uncertainty - placing greater emphasis on the need for leadership, skills development, and workforce resilience.

First Minister John Swinney announces £25 million of funding to local authorities to invest in the renewal of play parks across Scotland. 

All councils will receive a share of the funding to improve the standard of existing play parks – helping to ensure children have access to safe environments to play and socialise in. 

Between 28 February and 02 March, Scottish Rural Action and Youth Scotland co-hosted the inaugural Rural Youth Action Network (RYAN) Residential in Inverness.

The event, funded by Scottish Rural Network, was co-designed by a youth-led RYAN Residential Steering Group of 18 people, who determined together the key logistics, aims, format, themes, and desired outcomes of this event. Participants included over 60 young people aged between 16 - 30 years old and their allies, together representing at least 26 groups and organisations across rural and island Scotland.

Planning for the Future - Roadshow - Spring 2025

Over the next six weeks, a series of events will take place around the country aimed at combining the serious business of advice and support to help farmers prepare for the future, with a chance to socialise over a bite to eat.

The events are being run by RSABI working in partnership with the Royal Countryside Fund and will feature legal, business planning, farm accounts, mediation and succession experts who will lead some lively discussions to help farming families plan for the future.

A report by the Scottish Government's Expert Advisory Group on Migration and Population exploring the migration and mobility of young persons and young adults in rural Scotland has been published.

Rural and island youth outmigration has been a growing area of concern with the demographic of communities being disproportionately affected. 

Young people leading change in their local communities were celebrated at a special event in Stirling on Wednesday 5 March, as Forth Valley & Lomond Youth Local Action Group (YLAG) showcased the success of its Youth Impact Fund 2024.

Held at Made in Stirling, the event highlighted a series of inspiring projects tackling issues from mental health to environmental sustainability.

A call for views and evidence that stakeholders may have about how well current policies and actions are working to tackle child poverty in Scotland has been announced. 

Finalists have now been named for Lantra Scotland’s Awards for Land-based and Aquaculture Skills (the ALBAS), which will take place at Crieff Hydro Hotel on Thursday 6 March 2025.

The ALBAS play a vital role in promoting careers within the rural sector, celebrating the achievements of learners and highlighting the importance to employers of investing in skills.

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