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Our background
Intercultural Youth Scotland (IYS) was founded in 2019 in response to the need for safe spaces where young people could connect, share experiences, and drive meaningful change. Every programme and service we offer has been shaped directly by the voices of the young people we support. What began with a focus on Youth Work has grown to include Education, Advocacy, Employability, and a pioneering Mental Health Service, each designed with the lived experiences of Scotland’s young Black people and young People of Colour at its core.
The Block, 48 Palmerston Place
We are dedicated to amplifying youth voices, challenging systemic racism, and creating spaces where young people feel safe, heard, and empowered.
Our approach is not about ticking boxes - it’s about real change. We don’t do surface-level diversity initiatives. We work directly with young people to dismantle barriers in education, employment, policy, and youth work.
Our work is driven by lived experience, ensuring that the voices of young people not just included but are leading the conversation.
IYS plays a central role in shaping anti-racist policy at the highest levels. We have been instrumental in:
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Youth-led reports and activism that directly influence decision-making spaces, including the Young Person’s Guarantee and Scotland’s Education and Youth Work sector reforms.
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Supporting Youth Researchers to take a leading role in the National Consultation on Empire, Slavery, and Scotland’s Museums, ensuring that young people are at the heart of research with a lasting impact on the country’s historical reckoning.
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Holding institutions accountable and ensuring anti-racism is embedded into long-term policies, not just performative gestures.
At IYS, we are not just supporting young people - we are co-creating a future where they feel valued, supported, and celebrated. By working together with young people, communities, and institutions, we are building a Scotland where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
Whether you are a young person looking for support, an educator or employer wanting to collaborate, or someone who wants to make a difference - we’re excited to work with you.
Connect with us:
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Find us on social media by scrolling to the bottom of this page
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In person by dropping by on a Tuesday to our office: 48 Palmerston Place, Edinburgh, EH12 5DE
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Email us info@interculturalyouthscotland.org
