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 new free online training and capacity building programme, designed to kickstart your journey into marine advocacy.

Over 5 months, you’ll learn the skills and strategies needed for influencing policy change. You’ll also be teamed up with one of the YSCS team for personal mentoring to develop your own ambitions and interests on your journey to speak up for sea change.

On successful completion of the programme, you will receive a certificate of completion and become part of a new and growing community of young advocates committed to driving positive change for Scotland’s seas. Here you will have the opportunity to collaborate with other like-minded young people, share experiences, and receive continued support through training and other opportunities.

Registration is now closed for our 2024 programme.

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What to Expect

  • Online Modules

    The programme will consist of six live modules delivered via Zoom from January - May 2024. The first two foundational modules will be delivered by the YSCS team, and for the rest we will be joined by some exciting external guests. Expect a collaborative and open space with community-building, knowledge sharing and empowering each other at its heart!

  • In-person gathering

    YSCS will host a gathering for programme participants and other interested young people in June. The location of the workshop will be in a central belt location. Although attendance is recommended, it won’t be mandatory as we know some of you live in more remote corners of Scotland (financial support for travel costs will be available). More details will be provided during the programme.

  • Mentoring

    You'll participate in four 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’ll also be a space to connect with one another and the wider YSCS community, see volunteering and other opportunities, and ask any questions from the YSCS team.

Key Information

How to Apply

Simply complete the short online registration form. The closing date is Wednesday 24th January 9AM and those who are successful will be contacted by email shortly thereafter.

Please note, applications are now closed for 2024.

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.

To ensure participants get a bespoke learning experience from this programme, spaces are capped at 15. Candidates will be selected based on their answers to the questions. We will also endeavour to ensure there is a good mix of backgrounds, geographies, and genders.

If you have any questions, please contact us at contact@youthforseas.org

Timeline

Participation in the first two modules and all the mentoring sessions will be mandatory to complete the programme. You must also attend at least two of the four remaining modules.

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 2025 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.

  • 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. If your application is successful, we will discuss any accessibility needs with you.

  • 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.