Why Youth Voices Matter for Scotland’s Seas

By Alan Munro, Founder & Director of YSCS

The policy choices we make today about managing and protecting our marine environment will have lasting consequences. If current trends continue, young people today will inherit a nature-depleted world with degraded ecosystems, diminished biodiversity, and polluted waters. It seems common sense that young people should have a voice in shaping the future they want for our seas. And they certainly do want to be involved in policy discussions (see this paper). Often, though, they are entirely overlooked in decision-making.

There is a growing movement across civil society to better protect and restore our seas, and young voices have an increasingly crucial role in this. However, there are few accessible opportunities for young people to express their views, who may lack the technical knowledge and confidence to engage with complex, jargon-filled policy discussions. I founded Young Sea Changers Scotland to change this, recognising that young people in Scotland needed a dedicated platform to become informed about and actively involved in shaping marine policy.

I firmly believe that youth participation in marine decision-making is essential if we are to foster sustainable and shared stewardship of marine ecosystems for future generations and deliver Scotland’s ambitious Blue Economy Vision.

Why the ‘youth voice’ matters

There are many reasons why engaging young people in policy discussions matters, but the one I find most important is that they often bring fresh, out-of-the-box perspectives to complex issues such as climate change and biodiversity loss. This is not to undermine the value of expertise gained through years of experience but rather highlights that young people, being less entrenched in the status quo, can identify policy solutions that others might overlook.

Young people, coming from diverse backgrounds and experiences, are also more likely to propose solutions that centre equality, diversity, and inclusivity, which is especially important in a sector currently dominated by older, more homogeneous groups. Ensuring that decision-making processes are inclusive and equitable means they are better equipped to serve the needs of different communities, leading to fairer policy outcomes for everyone.

And of course, by involving young people in decision-making today, we empower the environmental advocates of tomorrow. With increased awareness and understanding of marine issues, young people can become informed stewards for the environment. What more powerful action could be taken for securing healthy, thriving seas than empowering a new generation motivated to contribute to its protection and sustainability? I can’t think of any!

“By involving young people in decision-making today, we empower the environmental advocates of tomorrow”

Barriers to youth participation

Despite the clear benefits, several barriers hinder young people from engaging fully in marine decision-making. One significant obstacle is the lack of awareness and education about participation opportunities. Many young people simply do not know where and how they can contribute their views or lack the necessary knowledge to do so effectively. How many of you reading this were aware of government consultations at age 16, let alone felt confident to respond?

Young people can also face financial, time or physical constraints to become involved in policy discussions due to their individual circumstances or identities. For example, young people from lower-income backgrounds might find getting to in-person meetings prohibitively expensive, especially if they live in rural areas. Similarly, access to digital devices, data, and reliable broadband at home, is not guaranteed for all young people. Young people from an ethnic minority background may feel particularly excluded from policy spaces due to a pre-existing lack of diversity and representation (i.e. they don’t engage because they don’t see others like them engaging).

Photo credit: Ruari Barber-Fleming

Fundamentally, and rather shamefully, policy forums are often not designed with young people in mind. For example, many key consultation events take place during the day when young people are either at school, university, or work. Then there is the policy and other technical jargon used in these spaces, which creates an additional layer of inaccessibility. Certain concepts might appear obvious to those working in the marine sector, but find me a young person who can reel off a definition of the blue economy or marine natural capital? You shouldn’t need a specialised degree to be able to contribute your voice.

Given such challenges, it's essential we create more inclusive, accessible and meaningful engagement opportunities for all young people. This could be achieved by scheduling consultation events at times that are convenient for young people, providing clear and jargon-free information ahead of and during meetings and workshops, and offering financial or logistical support for transportation and internet access. Additionally, leveraging social media and other platforms popular among youth can help raise awareness and encourage participation.

To take it a step further, organisations could establish formalised platforms, such as youth advisory councils or advisory boards within existing marine governance structures. This would facilitate structured, regular engagement and empower those young people to contribute meaningfully to policy development. One caveat, though: for such forums to be effective, it is essential they are well-supported, with mentorship, training, and access to relevant data and resourced offered to young participants.

“You shouldn’t need a specialised degree to be able to contribute your voice”

What is YSCS doing to address these barriers?

Young Sea Changers Scotland was established to address the barriers described above and empower young individuals to participate in shaping marine policy.

Through programmes like Turning the Tide – our flagship marine advocacy training – along with webinars, bespoke mentorship, and a growing online library of toolkits, we are committed to equipping young people with the knowledge, skills and confidence to engage with policymakers and push for urgent action to protect our seas.

Young Sea Changers Scotland also works directly with decision-makers and marine stakeholders to secure opportunities for youth to have a voice in policy discussions. For example, we're working with the Scottish Government’s Marine Directorate to involve young people in the development of the National Marine Plan 2 – a key policy framework for the future management of Scotland’s seas.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, Young Sea Changers Scotland is committed to amplifying diverse youth voices, ensuring that marine policy is informed by the experiences of those from underrepresented and marginalised backgrounds who might not otherwise have a platform to share their perspectives.

Let’s invest in youth

The challenges facing Scotland’s seas are significant, but so too is the potential of the younger generation to drive positive change. By bringing fresh, diverse perspectives and lived experiences to the table, empowering youth voices can inspire innovative and inclusive solutions to our shared marine challenges.

At this pivotal moment, investing in youth means investing in the shared stewardship of Scotland’s seas – a commitment that aligns seamlessly with Scotland’s ambition for a sustainable Blue Economy. Young Sea Changers Scotland exists not just to open doors for informed youth participation but to build a legacy of future leaders dedicated to safeguarding clean, healthy, safe, and biodiverse seas for generations to come.

We call on those in power to join us in amplifying youth voices - because the way our seas are managed today should reflect the needs and priorities of those who will inherit them tomorrow.

You can read more in our policy brief titled ‘Engaging Youth Voices in Marine Policy Management’

Photo credit: Ruari Barber-Fleming