Investment will be made in a team of 25 young people who will help to get more Scots than ever volunteering

Young people are set to be involved in creating a long-term volunteering plan for Scotland.

As part of the Year of Young People, £172,380 will be invested in developing a National Youth Volunteering Design Team.

Up to 25 volunteers from a variety of backgrounds will lead work which is aimed at helping the Scottish Government to achieve its goal of having more than half the population volunteering by 2028.

The initiative is being led by the government, in partnership with ProjectScotland and Young Scot.

“Volunteering is such a rewarding experience both for the volunteer and for our communities,” said communities secretary Angela Constance, who revealed the plans at the Gathering.

“This is an innovative and dynamic approach to increasing volunteering opportunities, especially for young people. Our commitment to equality and diversity underpins our approach to promoting volunteering and we want to increase such opportunities.”

Dured Alhalabe, who is the founder of the Amal Project, spoke of how volunteering has had a positive effect on her life.

"Volunteering has been so important to me,” she said. “It brings people together, helps to develop new skills and makes our communities stronger. I think it's great that other young people, like me, will have a direct say in developing the new strategy, so we can find new ways to encourage more young people get involved in volunteering."