Inaugural residential event for Highland Youth Local Action Group
A region-wide group aimed at putting young people in the Highlands at the heart of local decision-making have been sharing their experiences with others from different parts of Scotland.
Dundreggan Rewilding Centre, eight miles from Loch Ness, was the setting for the inaugural residential event of the Highland Youth Local Action Group (YLAG).
Young people aged from 17 to 30 years are leading on the establishment of the group.
The residential event was coordinated by the Highlands and Islands Climate Hub with support from Youth Highland and Affric Highlands.
The formation of a Highland YLAG has been supported and funded by the Highland Local Action Group (LAG). The Highland LAG is made up of community representatives across the region who allocate Scottish Government Community-Led Local Development (CLLD) funding administered by Highland Council.
A long-standing priority for the Highland LAG has been to set up a youth LAG to enable young people to set priorities and make decisions on what matters most to them.
Joan Lawrie, CEO of the Highlands and Islands Climate Hub and community representative on the Highland LAG, said: “I have been delighted to be a representative for communities on the Highland LAG since reforming in 2024 and it is been refreshing to see the group have the clear aim of forming a YLAG for Highland to give young people local decision-making power on the issues that matter most to young people.”
Over the weekend, Highland YLAG members heard directly from members of YLAGs in the Cairngorms, Forth Valley and Lomond and the Borders to learn from their experiences.
Leading the coordination for the Highlands and Islands Climate Hub alongside partners from Youth Highland and Affric Highlands has been Ashleigh Coghill, a graduate apprentice with the hub.
Ashleigh said: “As a young person who lives in Highland I’m pleased to see the range of experiences represented within the YLAG and look forward to continuing to build its influence within Highland.”
It is hoped that Highland YLAG will empower young people to contribute to improving opportunities in rural areas through the Youth Impact Fund. The group includes representatives from Lyth Arts Centre, the Highland Youth Parliament and Youth Highland as well as young professionals.
It is looking forward to securing a funding round in 2025/26 aimed at both young individuals and community groups that work with young people.
This fund will be allocated by the YLAG and administered by Highland Council’s economic regeneration team, supported by CLLD funding.
The Highland YLAG is keen to hear from more young people who would like to be involved.
Jake MacCulloch, Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament for Skye, Lochaber, and Badenoch and a YLAG member, said: “We are very keen to be representative of all young people aged 14 to 30 in Highland.
“The region is full of opportunity and possibility currently, and it is important that young people have a voice in shaping that opportunity. We would welcome any young people to join us in shaping priorities and contributing to a Highland region which is representative of young people’s voices.”