Scotland's Towns Partnership has announced a new partnership with Young Scot, to ensure that young people have more chances to participate effectively in the future planning of their town centres.

The partnership was announced following the latest Cross-Party Group on Town Centres meeting at the Scottish Parliament this week. Hilary Kidd, the Smart Services Director for Young Scot, will join the Scotland's Towns Partnership Board to ensure that young people participate effectively in policy development. She will also work to connect young people to opportunities within their towns - including local discounts and enhanced entitlements through the Young Scot National Entitlement Card.

The two organisations were joined by the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Local Government to launch the partnership.

STP is the national body for Scotland's towns and all those who work to support the country's towns and city districts; a hub to help people learn, connect, find practical support and advice, and share good practice and knowledge. The organisation's deep-rooted knowledge of the towns landscape and extensive range of services supports the Scottish Government's ongoing commitment to secure a positive future for Scotland's towns.

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Young Scot is the national youth information and citizenship charity for 11-26-year-olds in Scotland. They provide young people with information, ideas and opportunities to help them make informed decisions and choices. Over 700,000 young people have a free Young Scot National Entitlement Card which offers them discounts at over 500 businesses, acts as legal proof of age, and gives access to Young Scot Rewards.

Cabinet Secretary for Communities Aileen Campbell said: "Young people are the future of our towns. This alliance between Young Scot and Scotland's Towns Partnership is an exciting opportunity to ensure they participate in decisions on digital inclusion and the regeneration of our town centres.

"At the same time, they will be building relationships with local businesses to support benefits from the Young Scot entitlement card."

Chief Officer of Scotland's Towns Partnership, Phil Prentice, said: "This is a hugely exciting new partnership for Scotland's Towns Partnership. In looking at how our town centres revive and regenerate in the coming years, we know that young people need to take the lead in planning their own futures and that there is a need to move to a digital-first agenda.

"Young Scot has expertise at using digital innovation to inform, empower and connect young people across Scotland and they will bring invaluable insight and understanding to our work with towns across the country."

Young Scot's Smart Services Director, Hilary Kidd, said: "Young people are experts of their own experiences and the current and future users of Scotland's town centres. As such, their thoughts, feelings and ideas should be at the heart of any plans to regenerate Scotland's towns. The STP and Young Scot partnership is a fantastic way to make this happen."

(MH/CM)