Youth Music Initiative

In 2003, the Scottish Government’s Youth Music Initiative (YMI) was launched to put music at the heart of children and young people’s lives and learning. It currently operates with an annual budget of £9 million and supports all musical genres, age groups and teaching methods.

On this page you can learn more about the programme by reading the annual plan as well as recent impact reports and evaluations.

Youth Music Initiative Funding

Supporting high quality music making opportunities for young people aged 0 – 25 yrs.

YMI Downloads

Discover more about youth music in Scotland and the YMI programme through our latest reports, evaluations and case studies.

YMI Newsletter Sign Up

Stay up to date with the programme by signing up to the YMI newsletter

Youth Music Initiative 20th Anniversary Celebration

In 2022 we're celebrating a wonderful 20 years of the Youth Music Initiative.

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