The SYP was set up 1999 with a responsibility to provide a forum for young people.  Our core aim is to help Scotland understand which issues are important to young people,  and to campaign on those issues in order to make Scotland a better place for young people.

Our vision is of a stronger, more inclusive Scotland that gives young people a real say by truly involving them in the decision making process.

How we do this

The most important people in the Scottish Youth Parliament are our Members (MSYPs): young people aged between 14- 25 who are elected to represent different areas and voluntary organisations from across the whole of Scotland.   These young people have a democratic mandate to represent young people from their area, and it is that mandate which allows the SYP to campaign on behalf of the issues affecting young people.
Our MSYPs meet at least three times a year at national meetings where they discuss issues which affect young people.  Of course, it is not just a discussion forum.  One of the most important things the SYP does is work to propose new and sometimes radical solutions to the problems facing young people.

The Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP) is a wholly youth-led organisation with all fiscal governance positions and organisational decisions taken by young people aged 14-25 years.

With this structure the Scottish Youth Parliament is unique in Europe and quite possibly the world. As a Youth led Youth representing body the SYP embodies the very highest recognised level of youth participation.

In successfully achieving this, a direct connection to Scotland’s young people through democratically elected representatives is key to ensuring that the issues that are most important to young people are listened to by decision makers. We will ensure that the Scottish Youth Parliament is a strong and relevant advocate of youth opinion that is able to demonstrate a truly representative membership.

The Scottish Youth Parliament is dedicated to the delivery of positive outcomes for Scotland’s young people. Our vision and activities help deliver and underpin Scotland’s commitments in areas such as the government’s National Performance Framework and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.