Our Challenges

Environment. Equity. Exchange.

Our work is interdisciplinary, and all our activities fit within one or more of our Grand Challenges.

YAS activities are developed and lead by members, working across disciplines and areas of expertise to respond to some of the most interesting and pressing challenges facing Scotland today. We also work with partner organisations to deliver successful projects and events, and to broaden our reach.

Our strategic plan sets out YAS’s forward-looking objectives and goals for 2020-2025. It defines our organisation’s vision, mission, and core values, and the objectives through which we aim to deliver on our mission.

Our current strategic plan also contains the below Grand Challenges, which transverse all our themes, our members’ areas of expertise, and the different sectors they work in. These are reviewed every two to three years.

The full Strategic Plan may be downloaded here.

Our Grand Chellenges

  • Environment

    Enabling people in Scotland to thrive sustainably

    We strive to facilitate an inclusive and equitable transition towards a sustainable society, where everyone has the opportunity to thrive within a healthy environment. This includes promoting a low-carbon economy, safeguarding ecosystems and biodiversity, and ensuring decent living standards for all.

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  • Equity

    Enabling a more equitable, diverse, and just Scottish society

    We strive to amplify and elevate the voices of communities and individuals who face barriers to effective participation in decision-making forums. We listen attentively, gather information, distil insights, conduct research, and effectively communicate our findings with the aim of reducing health and social inequalities and promoting wellbeing in Scotland.

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  • Exchange

    Enabling a respectful and inclusive societal exchange

    We strive to facilitate open and inclusive exchange of ideas and perspectives among individuals and diverse groups to encourage dialogue, foster understanding, and support informed decision-making. We aim to promote respectful, balanced discourse throughout Scotland and internationally.

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