Scotland’s Young People’s Forest will be one of Scotland’s flagship projects as it prepares to host the United Nation’s Climate Change Conference (COP 26) in Glasgow later this year. It will help to inspire young people from communities across Scotland to contribute towards the nation’s climate ambitions.

Scotland’s Young People’s Forest will be led by a panel of diverse young people supported by Young Scot, the national youth information and citizenship charity, working with national youth work agency YouthLink Scotland. Corra Foundation, NatureScot, Pears Foundation, Scottish Enterprise and Wood are the founding funding partners.

Scotland’s Forestry Strategy 2019–2029 sets out a 50-year vision with a key priority to engage more people, communities, and businesses in creating, managing and using forests and woodlands. Young people have a vital role in this vision, and through Scotland’s Young People’s Forest, they will become champions of community engagement and support the creation of more forest and woodland in Scotland.

Scotland’s Young People’s Forest will be led and governed by an appointed panel of young people – from the initial ideas phase through to sustainable planting strategies, land ownership and management structures.

Recognising the need to balance the benefits for wildlife, biodiversity, people and income generation, the young people will be supported by key partners who will provide expert advice on options and opportunities – ranging from the type of planting to practical use and stewardship. The young leaders will decide on the site(s) and model.

YouthLink Scotland CEO Tim Frew welcomed the initiative, saying: “Young people are key to combating the climate crisis and educating others on a sustainable future. Scotland’s Young People’s Forest will give them a central role in Scotland’s fight against climate change. By combining the expertise of practitioners and partners with the vision of the panel, we hope to create a space that will enable young Scots to develop their leadership and activism skills through this pioneering project.”

Young Scot CEO Louise Macdonald added: “Scotland’s young people are already leading in the fight against climate change. Their vision, ambition, and passion for the environment will be at the core of Scotland’s Young People’s Forest. Anyone can plant a forest – but this will be a one entirely led by young people from beginning to end, with co-design at its heart and young people leading on every decision.”