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Who we Are
Intercultural Youth Scotland (IYS) began in 2019, born from a deep recognition of the need for safe spaces where young people could come together, share experiences, and push for meaningful change. Every programme and service has grown directly from the voices of the young people it serves. What started as a focus on Youth Work has expanded into Education, Advocacy, Employability, and a first of it's kind Mental Health Service - each rooted in the lived realities of Scotland’s young Black people and young People of Colour.
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:
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.
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.
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.
You can find us on social media by scrolling to the bottom of this page or connect with us in person by dropping by on a Tuesday to our office: 48 Palmerston Place, Edinburgh, EH12 5DE
Or email us: info@interculturalyouthscotland.org
