Councillors propose £100,000 investment in Year of Young People

17 November 2017

The Year of Young People programme could be boosted by a £100,000 fund in Aberdeen.

Members of the Aberdeen City Council Education and Children’s Services committee yesterday (16 November) gave their support to a proposal to make the six-figure commitment. A final decision will now be made by the Finance, Policy and Resources Committee on 1 December.

The aim is to establish a fund for an award programme in which groups and organisations can apply for finance for the delivery of youth led cultural projects and events in Aberdeen to celebrate the Year of Young People.

Cllr Lesley Dunbar, Aberdeen City Council vice-convener of Education and Children’s Services, said: “As a Council we have been working with young people throughout Aberdeen to promote their participation in decision making and to extend the opportunities that are available to them in the city. We value that process and the input that we get, helping to shape the future.

“The support from members of the committee to provide significant funding for groups in Aberdeen demonstrates our commitment to the Year of Young People, which promises to be a celebration of the energy and passion of the next generation.”

Since 2015, young people aged between eight and 26 have been at the heart of the planning for the national Year of Young People. Hundreds of young people had their say on what the year should focus on, and now a group of young leaders, Communic18 are working with organisations to ensure the goals identified are achieved.

Young people decided upon the six themes which mattered most to their lives. All activity for the year is focused around those areas: culture; education; health and wellbeing; enterprise and regeneration; equality and diversity; participation.