Turning the Tide

Empowering Young People for Marine Advocacy

Are you aged between 16-25, living in Scotland, and passionate about taking action for our seas?

Turning the Tide is our free online training and capacity building programme, designed to kick-start your journey into marine advocacy.

Through the programme, which runs from January to April, you’ll become equipped with the skills and approaches needed for effectively influencing policy and driving meaningful change. You’ll also be teamed up with one of the YSCS team for personalised mentoring where we will help you refine your goals, explore your passions, and craft a unique plan to build your confidence as an advocate for our seas.

Upon successfully completing the programme, you will receive a certificate of completion and become part of a new and growing community of young advocates dedicated to championing Scotland’s seas. As part of this network, you’ll have the chance to connect with like-minded young people, share experiences, and receive continued support through training and other opportunities to help you stay engaged and further develop your advocacy skills.

We will launch applications for TTT-26 in December!

What to Expect

  • Online Modules

    The programme comprises six live modules, delivered interactively via Zoom. The first two foundational modules will be led by the YSCS team, setting the stage with essential background on policy & advocacy. The remaining modules will feature inspiring external guests who bring diverse expertise and perspectives, ensuring a rich and varied learning experience.

  • Mentoring

    You'll participate in three individualised mentoring sessions with a YSCS team member, arranged at a time to suit you both. These sessions serve as a space to explore your specific ocean interests, link you with potential contacts or opportunities, and guide you towards your goals as a marine advocate.

  • Discord

    Throughout the programme we will use the Discord app to keep in touch & share updates. It’s also be a space to connect with your peers in the wider YSCS community, hear about volunteering and other opportunities, and ask any questions from the YSCS team (and each other!).

  • Community Gathering

    YSCS hosts an annual gathering for young people in September and TTT participants get a guaranteed place. Attendance isn't mandatory but encouraged. It’s a fantastic way to meet the rest of the TTT cohort and other young people from across Scotland. Travel support will be available for anyone who needs it

Key Information

How to Apply

Simply complete the short application form, followed by our Equal Opportunities form. The application form asks why you want to join TTT and what you hope to get out of it. You can also apply by uploading a voice or video file.

The closing date is Monday 23rd December 9AM. Applications will then be reviewed in the new year so you will hear back from us by January 9th.

To ensure participants get a bespoke learning experience, spaces for TTT are capped at 15.

Your application will be compared to other young people of a similar age and will be selected based on your motivation to apply, your passion for marine issues and what you think you will get out of the course.

There's no wrong answers so be as open and honest as possible - we want to know more about you! 

Positive action

We aim to build a cohort with a balanced mix of backgrounds, regions, and genders. If two applicants have the same score, we will prioritise young people from groups that are under-represented in the marine sector or YSCS (see below). To achieve this, we may award an additional point to these applicants. We will therefore also ask everyone to complete a separate Equal Opportunities monitoring form. We will follow our data Privacy Policy and all information will be kept confidential.

Accessibility & inclusion

We're committed to ensuring Turning the Tide is accessible to and inclusive of all young people. Please let us know if we need to make adjustments to the application process or have any questions about the course format so that it’s fully accessible to you. Contact us at contact@youthforseas.org

We particularly encourage applications from groups who are currently underrepresented at Young Sea Changers Scotland. In particular, we are looking to increase representation from young people belonging to ethnic minority groups, disabled people (or those living with long-term health conditions), people from low income backgrounds, and people living in the Highlands and other islands regions of Scotland (including Orkney, Shetland, and the Hebrides.)

Timeline

The Turning the Tide programme includes a mix of core and optional modules. To complete the programme, you must take part in two core modules (on 29th & 30th Jan), attend at least two out of four guest modules, and commit to taking part in all three mentoring sessions.

All the modules will be recorded so if you happen to miss one, you have the opportunity to catch up.

NB: Dates for modules 5 & 6 may be subject to change.

✺ Frequently asked questions ✺

  • To get the most out of Turning the Tide, it is important that you can commit to attending as much of the programme as possible. Places are extremely limited and we want to ensure places only go to those who are able to complete the programme. We intend to run the programme again in 2026 if it doesn’t work for you this year, though!

  • We will select applicants based on the answers in their application. We are looking to hear what issues you’re passionate about and what you hope to get out of the training. Please also see the section above on positive action.

  • Absolutely not! We do not expect you to have a background in marine biology; just a passion for a healthy marine environment and thriving coastal communities.

  • Nope! The aim of the course is to equip you with these skills and help you build your knowledge so you can become an ocean advocate yourself.

  • Yes, the course is designed to empower young people to speak up on issues that affect Scotland’s seas, and therefore only open to those living in Scotland.

  • We do not want cost to be a barrier to participation in this programme, so we have set aside some funding to subside travel costs.

  • All the online modules and mentoring sessions will be conducted virtually using Zoom, so you will need to have access to a laptop, phone or computer and a stable internet connection to attend.