Matt McDonald

Head of Policy and Public Affairs

he/him

Matt leads on all SYP’s policy, public affairs, and campaigning work. This includes supporting MSYPs to have their voices heard by local, national, and international decision-makers.

Previously Matt worked as SYP’s UNCRC Participation Manger, leading on The Right Way project and our rights-based participation work, and also as SYP’s Communications Officer. Before joining SYP in 2021, Matt previously worked in sustainable transport campaigning, outdoor environmental education with children and young people and volunteered for a youth climate policy group. 

Matt’s human rights and environment work began at university, where he studied Geography and Politics at the University of Edinburgh.

Outside of SYP, Matt can normally be found on a hill or a mountain as a keen hill walker and skier. Long before joining SYP Matt’s first experience of working with young people was as a ski instructor trying to help them down a hill without getting hurt!