Youth engagement in the Isles

The aim of this project is to encourage young people to become more involved in the democratic process. This project is part funded by the Scottish Government and the European Community Leader Innse Gall 2007-2013 programme.

Youth Councils and Youth Voices have been established in Barra, Uist, Harris and Lewis. The groups were recently involved in Parliament Day, attending training sessions with the Scottish Parliament Outreach team in preparation for the event. Barra Youth Council were supported by the Harris, Uist and Lewis groups when they delivered their petition on Wifi on Calmac ferries to the Petitions Committee.

The groups also met with MSPs for a Question and Answer session before attending the Civic Reception held in the Nicolson Institute.

The following day, Harris and Barra Youth Councils delivered peer education sessions as part of the Connect training programme which was delivered by Francis Culpin from the Scottish Parliament Outreach team.

The Youth Councils and Youth Voices are now focusing on issues relevant to their areas and have invited local councillors to meet with them and support them in having a voice in the Western Isles.

For more information on this project, contact: Karen Macleod – 01851 822714 – [email protected]

Lewis Youth in Action Harris Youth Council: Mary Ann Campbell – 01870 604880 – [email protected]; Uist Youth Voice Katie Denehy – 01871 817217 – [email protected] Barra Youth Council