Your voice. Your Future.
“Our manifesto is the basis of everything we do on policy at the Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP). The policies outlined in the Manifesto are developed by young people, for young people. The process we have taken to create it has given young people the chance to grow both professionally and personally, while fostering a sense of collective ownership in shaping their future.”
– Ellie Craig, Chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYP).
What is a manifesto?
Every five years, in line with the Scottish Parliament elections, SYP produces and publishes a new manifesto. It is a document created by young people, for young people, which includes a list of ideas they believe the next Scottish Government and other decision-makers need to implement to meet the needs and uphold the rights of Scotland’s young people.
Our current manifesto was published in 2021. The next edition will be launched later this year, and we will use it to encourage decision-makers and political parties running for election to incorporate young people’s priorities into their plans.
How do we write our manifesto?
Before MSYPs draft the manifesto, we conduct a nationwide consultation to determine which issues matter most to Scotland’s young people aged 12-25.
This year, the consultation had two parts:
- A digital survey, gathering responses from across Scotland
- A series of focus groups, providing deeper insights
These responses helped us shortlist the policies that will be included in our 2026–2031 manifesto.
You can read more about SYP’s manifesto and how the consultation works in our Participant Information Sheet.
The consultation closed in June, after which we hosted several coding sessions to examine thousands of responses from young people. In these sessions, MSYPs categorised the data in group exercises, producing both qualitative and quantitative insights.
The data has been grouped into five themes:
- Accessible, Equitable and Inclusive Education
- Safe and Supportive Communities
- A Sustainable and Renewable Society
- A Fairer and Just Scotland
- Empowering Young People to Practise Their Rights
In total, these themes form 31 policies, which will launch on 6 September. More in-depth pages for each policy, along with supporting materials for every theme, will also be published – so watch this space!
How does our manifesto benefit Scotland’s young people?
Our manifesto is more than just a document – it is the voice of young people across the country. This edition will guide our national campaigns for the next five years and influence the work of decision-makers on behalf of the young people MSYPs represent.
The impact of our manifesto can be huge. For example, our ‘All Aboard’ campaign started as a single policy in SYP’s 2016 manifesto and went on to achieve a major win: the Under22s Free Bus Travel Scheme! This initiative gives thousands of young people better access to education, work, and social opportunities by allowing them to use public transport free of charge.
The incorporation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) into Scottish law is another big win accrued by SYP. This milestone came from the ‘Right Here, Right Now’ campaign.
By sharing their views and supporting the manifesto, young people are helping to set the agenda for real change in Scotland.
Are you a teacher, youth worker, or do you work with children and young people?
We invite you to explore the 2026–2031 policies and consider how you can promote them in your organisation.
If you’re interested in getting involved, please contact:
Emily Beever, Head of Policy and Public Affairs
📧 Emily.b@syp.org.uk