Creative Scotland administers the Scottish Government’s Youth Music Initiative (YMI) programme which in 2019-20 will:
The 2019-20 YMI Annual Plan sets out our plans for the programme including a programme of work, funding and development priorities, budgets and how we will report on impact.
Stay up to date with the programme by signing up to the YMI mailing list below. You can also keep up to date with all things YMI by following the hashtag #YMIScotland.
YMI is now closed for applications in 2019-20. There were three routes to apply for funding for youth music projects:
To meet the YMI Scottish Government commitment: every school pupil in Scotland should be offered a year of free music tuition by the time they leave primary school.
For projects delivered beyond the above commitment, the purpose is: to tackle inequality and engage young people (of any school age) who otherwise would not participate in meaningful, quality music making opportunities.
This is a targeted fund for Scotland’s 32 Local Authorities and Jordanhill School. Activity supported through this route commences at the beginning of the academic year in August 2019. For more information on local authority YMI programmes contact your YMI Formula Fund contact (Word document).
The purpose of the Access to Music-Making fund is to create access to high-quality music-making opportunities for young people aged 0-25 years outwith school time.
Applications to Access to Music Making can come from organisations and individuals based in Scotland or who are delivering programmes within Scotland for the benefit of the people of Scotland. Applicants can apply for funding between £1k - £40k for projects up to two years.
There was one deadline in 2019-20: Monday 13 January 2020.
The purpose of the Strengthening Youth Music fund is to improve the youth music sector infrastructure and the services that organisers offer. It supports strategic action, research or training that will strengthen the youth music sector in Scotland for the benefit of young people. The purpose of this fund is not to support project delivery directly with young people.
Applications to Strengthening Youth Music can come from organisations and individuals based in Scotland or who are delivering programmes within Scotland for the benefit of the people of Scotland. Applicants can apply for funding between £1k - £20k for projects up to two years.
There was one deadline in 2019-20: Monday 13 January 2020.
There will also be a YMI Training and CPD fund in 2019/20. This scheme can support individuals and organisations looking for small amounts of funding. Further information will be made available in due course. To keep up to date with the latest news, sign up to the YMI newsletter at the bottom of the page and follow us at @CreativeScots.
If you would like more information about Youth Music Initiative, you can contact:
If you require support, further information or have any general enquiries about the application process please contact our Enquiries Service. Our Enquiries Service will be able to advise you or will put you in contact with one of our officers.
Email: enquiries@creativescotland.com | Telephone: 0345 603 6000*. Lines are open 10am-12pm and 2-4pm, Monday–Friday. Voicemail is available outwith these hours. If you want us to call you back, then leave a message with your number and we’ll arrange a time to call you.
If you are a D/deaf BSL user, you can access our services with the Contact Scotland-BSL programme. Go to www.contactscotland-bsl.org/public for more information.
For more information on how to contact us via social media or our website - visit creativescotland.com/contact-us.
