The Rural Youth Action Network (RYAN) provides opportunities for young people from Scotland’s rural communities to come together and share their experiences, have their voices heard, shape decision-making about issues that impact their lives and ensure that Government plans consider their interests and priorities. This project is a partnership between Youth Scotland and Scottish Rural Action, funded by Scottish Government and the Scottish Rural Network.
The Rural Youth Action Network was set up to enable young people to progress the priorities identified at the 2023 Scottish Rural and Islands Youth Parliament. RYAN collects and amplifies the voices of young people across rural and islands Scotland by working with individuals and groups including the Youth Local Action groups (“YLAGS”), the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Club, the Scottish Youth Parliament, the Youth Councils, the Climate Action Network Hubs, Youth Scotland’s member groups based in rural areas and many others.
During the 2023 Scottish Rural and Islands Youth Parliament, 10 youth priorities were developed. Between 28 February and 2 March 2025, Youth Scotland and Scottish Rural Action co-hosted the inaugural residential for RYAN. Since then, efforts have been focused on widening the network.
Between 28 February and 02 March 2025, Youth Scotland and Scottish Rural Action co-hosted the inaugural residential for the new Rural Youth Action Network (RYAN). The event successfully demonstrated how RYAN consolidates momentum behind rural youth mobilisation and participation: over 60 young people and their allies participated, representing at least 26 groups and organisations across rural Scotland.
Participants responded positively to the opportunity to connect with others within RYAN, as well as to collectively workshop actions alongside policy experts, decision-makers and with the invited participants from the Young Islanders Network and island groups in furtherance of the youth priorities identified at the 2023 Scottish Rural and Islands Youth Parliament (SRIYP).
The enthusiasm and sense of ownership from the participants over this RYAN residential directly influenced the design, delivery and outcomes of this event. The wealth of actionable outputs generated points to the value of making resources available directly to young people in rural Scotland.
Josh and some RYAN young people were down at Dumfries and Galloway representing the network at Youth Beatz, Scotland’s largest free youth music festival. Young people were busy running the RYAN stall, networking with other organisations and widening the network. A massive well done to Robert and Kai for all their hard work.
We had a fantastic weekend taking part in the community showcase at the royal highland show to showcase the Rural Youth Actin Network (RYAN) project. The amazing RYAN young people planned, created and delivered a brilliant interactive stall to spread the word about RYAN to those visiting the community showcase.
Robert, a RYAN young person, wrote about his experience of taking RYAN to the Royal Highland Show.