In Scotland, like in many societies around the world, unequal access to opportunities remains a chronic andcumulative impediment to individuals’ education, health and civic participation. Over 220,000 children in Scotland live in poverty and the Institute for Fiscal Studies estimates that by 2020, this number will increase by a further 100,000 (Child Poverty Action Group, 2014). Children and young people remain at greatest risk of being marginalised and excluded. Tackling their experienced inequalities in education, health, rights and social participation and minimising the long-term effects of deprivation in early life on opportunities later on remain key challenges for a devolved Scotland, post-Referendum. In this context, ending child poverty and socio-economic disadvantage, as well as addressing the achievement gap of poor children, and inequalities in health outcomes and social participation, have become priorities for public services and policy makers.

This Programme will aim to increase equality and help realise human potential through a series of activities which will encourage evidence-based practice, stimulate collaboration between a range of stakeholders and involve young people as active citizens. More specifically, the Programme will:·      

• Give voice to children and young people’s experiences of inequalities through a series of engagement workshops aimed at young people
• Engage a range of practitioners, policy makers and researchers in meaningful knowledge exchange opportunities through multi-disciplinary teams involved in producing four policy briefings and the wide dissemination of these
• Create a space for the general public across Scotland to engage with the ideas of inequalities, as experienced and represented in a ‘travelling’ arts exhibition designed and produced by children and young people;
•  Bring together practitioners, policy makers, researchers and young people to identify solutions to the current key challenges in tackling social and economic inequalities through two policy and practice events, which will support evidence-based practice in tackling social disadvantage, while also informing future research and policy agenda.  

The Art of Getting By: Young People Exploring Poverty (full screen)