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 - Sounds Like Music at Murrayburn Primary

In this month's Spotlight, we speak to some of the people responsible for delivering the Youth Music Initiative at Murrayburn Primary School in Sighthill, Edinburgh.

Published: 05 Jun 2023

£9.5 million to support young musicians

Culture Secretary Angus Robertson has confirmed £9.5 million funding for Scotland’s flagship Youth Music Initiative (YMI) this year.

Published: 25 May 2023

Spotlight - Creative Scotland's Climate Emergency and Sustainability Plan

In this month's Spotlight, we introduce Climate Emergency and Sustainability Lead Karen Ridgewell, who shares information about the plan and the focus for the coming year.

Published: 15 May 2023

Arts funding awarded to most diverse array of music-making projects to date

63 youth music projects across the country will receive funding to drive inclusivity and tackle social issues through the positive power of music-making.

Published: 06 Apr 2023

Spotlight - #YMusicMatters with Morag Macdonald

In this month’s Spotlight, discover the stories and reflections that came out of the #YMusicMatters 20th anniversary event from none other than YMI Manager Morag Macdonald.

Published: 13 Mar 2023