Youth group to collaborate with National Park for rural change

The launch of Cairngorms Youth Action Team is hoped to spark a call for change in rural communities, helping to promote and protect our environment.

The group is both an empowering and inspiring platform for people to engage with the natural and cultural heritage of our local rural communities.

Last year the Youth Manifesto was created which voiced some of the hopes and fears that young people have for the future of their communities. The Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) pledged to set up this Youth Action Team to ensure that the views of the next generation are listened to on matters which concern them.

Xander McDade, Convener of the CNPA said, “As a young person myself I am excited to see the launch of a platform that has a remit to allow my generation to shape their own future. We should be encouraging young people to take an interest, offering them opportunities to share their ideas and visions and I am proud that the CNPA is leading the way in doing that.”

The launch comes at the start of Scotland’s Climate Week (7-13 Oct) and one of the key issues that the Youth Action team will be turning their attention to is how to encourage other people to get involved in tackling the climate emergency in their own communities.

Team Member Liam McCallum said, “Young people embrace their local culture and natural heritage, but unfortunately for some it's just no viable for them to stay in this area. There are a lot of multi-faceted issues, but we want to look at how we can challenge those problems"

The Cairngorms Youth Action Team is looking for anyone aged 14-to-26 to apply for a place on the Team. For more information on the application process and what this involves please visit here or email alansmith@cairngorms.co.uk