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Youth Music Initiative Funding

Creative Scotland administers the Scottish Government’s Youth Music Initiative (YMI) programme which aims to:

  • Create access to high-quality music-making opportunities for children and young people, particularly for those that would not normally have the chance to participate
  • Enable children and young people to achieve their potential in or through music making
  • Support the development of the youth music sector for the benefit of children and young people

You can learn more about the Youth Music Initiative, read our impact reports and evaluations and find out about our latest work over on the main YMI programme page.

For guidance on completing YMI Interim and End of Project Forms please visit the relevant fund pages.

Contents

Apply for Funding

There will be four routes to apply for funding for youth music projects in 2023/24. For guidance on eligibility, criteria and applying to these funds, please visit relevant fund pages.

School Based Music Making (Formula Fund)

This fund aims to fulfil the YMI Scottish Government commitment that every school pupil in Scotland should be offered a year of free music tuition by the time they leave primary school. This is a targeted fund open for applications from Scotland’s 32 Local Authorities and Jordanhill School.

Access to Music Making

The purpose of the Access to Music Making fund is to create access to high-quality music making opportunities for children and young people.

Strengthening Youth Music

To support individuals, organisations and networks who work outwith school settings to undertake training and continuing professional development that will strengthen youth music in Scotland for the benefit of children and young people.

YMI CPD and Training Fund

To support individuals, organisations and networks who work outwith school settings to undertake training and continuing professional development that will strengthen youth music in Scotland for the benefit of children and young people.

Further advice and information

If you would like more information about Youth Music Initiative, get in touch with a member of the YMI team.

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.

You can also visit the Creative Scotland contact page for information on how to get in touch via our website or social media.

If you are a D/deaf BSL user, you can access our services with the Contact Scotland-BSL programme. Visit the Contact Scotland BSL website for more information.

Stay up to date

Stay up to date with the programme by signing up to the YMI newsletter. You can also keep up to date with all things YMI by following the hashtag #YMIScotland and follow us at @CreativeScots.

Latest Stories from YMI

Spotlight - Enriching Music Education for Children and Young People

Members of the MEP Group Symposium from throughout the globe outside Scottish Parliament with a great view of Edinburgh’s Arthurs Seat, after their discussions with MSP Michelle Thompson.

Published: 10 Nov 2023

Spotlight - Into the Music

Into The Music is a unique immersive, tactile music-making environment where purpose-built string instruments allow children and young people with learning disabilities and other additional support needs to improvise music in a safe space.

Published: 02 Oct 2023

Spotlight – A Funding Boost for Youth Arts

In this month's spotlight, Colin Bradie, Head of the Creative Learning and Young People Team at Creative Scotland, shares his thoughts on the awardees of the Youth Arts Open Fund announced just last month.

Published: 04 Sep 2023

Spotlight - All Join In with Drake Music Scotland

In this month’s Spotlight, we’re delighted to hear from Drake Music Scotland on their new documentary All Join In, highlighting the work delivered as part of the YMI programme in Aberdeenshire.

Published: 04 Aug 2023

Spotlight - It's Time To Mobilize!

With Youth Music Initiative funding, Mobilize have really been able to take things to another level and build on their musical legacy. Enjoy some highlights of what they got up to over the last year.

Published: 03 Jul 2023
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