This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
Young Person's Challenge Fund
25/08/2005
The Young Person's Challenge Fund, set up to help pilot
innovative ideas from young people on how to deliver better
public services, was launched today.
At West Lothian College in Livingston, Minister for
Public Service Reform Tom McCabe said:
"The Executive is committed to delivering better public
services. We also want to engage with young people, seek
their views and involve them in the decisions that affect
the people of Scotland.
"Young people are the future of Scotland, they have a
voice and the Young Person's Challenge Fund is a platform
for that voice to be heard.
"The Fund has been set up to encourage young people,
aged 12 to 25, to develop solutions using technology to
improve the way public services are delivered for
Scotland's young people today and in future years. It will
build on previous schemes which have shown young people
prefer to access services and information using technology
such as websites, or CD ROMs.
"The most viable ideas will be piloted, creating
opportunities for young Scots to project manage, develop
their presentational skills and achieve a greater awareness
of enterprise and active citizenship.
"The lasting benefits of the scheme will include
improved quality of public services, better use of
technology and heightened awareness of the specific needs
of young people.
"With their energy, enthusiasm and fresh outlook, we
hope to see a range of ideas emerge from young people which
can be taken forward to innovate and boost Scotland's
public services."
Rebecca Lynch, Co-ordinator for West Lothian Young Scot,
said:
"Active Young Scots meet regularly throughout Scotland
to discuss local issues, consult their peers and lobby for
change in their issue groups, forums and pupil and student
councils.
The Challenge Fund is a chance for young people to take
their concepts to the next stage, a real opportunity for
the young people of West Lothian and Scotland to put their
ideas into action."
The Young Person's Challenge Fund is part of the
Scottish Executive's Modernising Government Fund.
The scheme will work in partnership with the voluntary
sector, business community, local authorities including
schools, further and higher education organisations and
health bodies.
Young people will be able to submit their ideas to
the Executive between August 25 and October 31.