Young Scots across the country are set to benefit from the Year of Young People National Lottery Fund after 37 grants were handed out this week.
The funding, totalling £322,400, will help 37 heritage, community and sports organisations across Scotland and give young people aged 8-26 the chance to shape in take part in activities that will improve their health and wellbeing.
The sport awards include money for a basketball tournament, projects to engage under-represented groups in sport and the development of young coaches
The funding has been made possible thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, in a joint scheme from Scotland’s National Lottery distributors - Big Lottery Fund, Heritage Lottery Fund, sportscotland and Spirit of 2012, a UK trust endowed with cash from the Big Lottery Fund.
Amongst the organisations celebrating is East Lothian Council, which receives £10,000 to encourage young people from under-represented backgrounds to take part in sport.
Bengy Barsanti, Club and Community Development Officer at East Lothian Council, said:
“We are delighted to receive this award from the Year of Young People National Lottery Fund which will enable Active East Lothian and our partners to develop the role models of tomorrow through an intensive training and mentorship programme.
“By improving the leadership and business development skills of our young people we will empower and enable them to create sustainable, innovative activity projects to get disadvantaged and hard to reach young people involved in sport and physical activity, improving their health and wellbeing.”
Welcoming the announcement, Maureen McGinn, Big Lottery Fund Scotland Chair, said on behalf of the Scottish National Lottery distributors: “Thanks to National Lottery players, this £322,400 investment will make a difference in the lives of young people across many Scottish communities - from Dumfries to Stirling and into the Highlands.
“The funding will improve the health and wellbeing of young people from a range of backgrounds including those experiencing mental health issues, young carers and young people with disabilities.
“Scotland’s Year of Young People is an exciting opportunity for young people to take lead roles in activities in their local communities and I am delighted that this funding will help make that happen.”
