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 - 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

Spotlight - Supporting experimental music-making

In this month’s Spotlight, we’re talking about how the Youth Music Initiative supports opportunities for young people to get involved in experimental music as part of our 20th anniversary.

Published: 09 Aug 2022

#NoWrongPath - Sace Lockhart's post-exam journey, plus five tips for regrouping after exam results

We speak to Sace Lockhart, Project Manager of Music Plus and Musicares at Scottish Music Centre, about his experience of school, and his journey after exam results. Don't miss our five tips and list of resources too! #NoWrongPath

Published: 08 Aug 2022

Applications for the Sound of Young Scotland award open

The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award have announced the opening of applications for The Sound of Young Scotland Award, supported by Ticketmaster, the Youth Music Initiative (funded by the Scottish Government through Creative Scotland) and Youth Music.

Published: 25 Jul 2022

Spotlight - Jazzing it up with the National Orchestras of Scotland

In July's Spotlight, we hear about the jazzy summer celebrations planned by the National Youth Orchestras of Scotland and supported by YMI, that will mark their 30th anniversary.

Published: 04 Jul 2022