This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Year of action for young people
13/03/2007
Young people are set to benefit from a year of action that will mean improved services, better facilities and more of a say on local issues, it was announced today.
Deputy Education Minister Robert Brown marked the start of the action by unveiling the Executive's plan to get more young people more involved - Moving Forward, a strategy for improving young people's chances through youth work.
More than 2,500 young people responded to the consultation on youth work which helped shape the strategy.
This year, the Executive will:
- Provide £500,000 to help build the capacity of youth organisations and improve training for volunteer youth workers
- Set up a Youth Opportunities Fund of £2.5 million so that young people can run local events, projects and volunteer campaigns
- Give £5 million funding to improve facilities for young people
- Appoint a co-ordinator who will work with schools and youth workers to strengthen links across the sectors
Mr Brown said:
"Young people are full of potential. We need to make sure that every one of them gets the right support to develop their talents and get involved. Youth work - in the uniformed organisations, in other voluntary sector youth clubs and organisations, and in local authority facilities - gives thousands of young people the chance to have challenging experiences, build their confidence, widen their horizons and set them off successfully on life's journey.
"We want even more young people to benefit and that's exactly what our strategy is designed to achieve. Throughout the coming year, we will put in place more funds and strengthened support to revitalise and move youth work, both voluntary and professional, forward across the country.
"Our plan has been influenced directly by young people and we will continue to work with them and everyone involved in providing services for young people during our Year of Action and beyond."
YouthLink Scotland chief executive Jim Sweeney added:
"We welcome this long awaited development and shall react in a positive manner to its recommendations.
"Our young people deserve access to first rate youth work opportunities of both targeted and universal nature."