posted by Alita Spink, Schools and Learning Support Officer

As term resumes for the 2015/16 academic year, 190 Scottish secondary schools are preparing to take part in the Youth & Philanthropy Initiative. Over the next year over 20,000 students will take collective responsibility for directing a total of £570,000 to small, local charities through YPI.

YPI Scotland is an active citizenship programme that raises awareness amongst young people about philanthropy and their local community. Each participating school, each year, is responsible for directing a £3000 YPI Grant to a local charity through a unique programme of team work, research and competition. YPI Scotland is about creativity and passion, leaving the four walls of the classroom behind and supporting the issues young people care most about.

The programme itself is delivered as a core feature of the school curriculum across a full school year group with flexibility from school to school. To date, YPI has been recognised in 12 HMIE reports with specific reference made to the programmes ability to develop wider achievement, enrich the life of the school, and support employability skill development. The Wood Foundation launched YPI Scotland in 2008. Since then the number of participating schools has rapidly increased. If you’d like to learn more please visit the website.