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 - the impact of YMI in 2021 and 2022

This month's YMI Spotlight - from the YMI team itself - delves into the new research just published on the impact of the Youth Music Initiative in Scotland in 2021 and 2022.

Published: 07 Nov 2022

Spotlight on 20 years of Highland YMI keeping Gaelic tradition alive in the hearts of young musicians

This month's YMI Spotlight explores the rich legacy of the impact of Youth Music funding in Scotland over the last 20 years

Published: 27 Oct 2022

Spotlight - Reflections on Summer 2022

What a summer it’s been! In this month’s Spotlight, to celebrate all the YMI activity that has taken place over the last couple of months, and remind us #YMusicMatters, here’s a just wee taste of what’s been going on.

Published: 07 Sep 2022