The Scottish Executive is injecting more than £2m in a new strategy to improve young people’s chances through youth work.

The new Moving Forward initiative will encompass 200 youth projects, including sports programmes and competitions, music lessons, arts and theatre projects and film production programmes.

Children and early years minister Adam Ingram said: “Having fun and learning new skills are key to enhancing young people’s lives and broadening their horizons.

“These projects open opportunities for young people, giving them the chance to try new things and develop their confidence in the process. These grants will make a real difference to young people across Scotland.”

The grant is one part of the scheme’s £8m Year of Action for Young People package. The other initiatives include £500,000 to build the capacity of youth organisations and improve training for volunteer youth workers, the creation of a £2.5m Youth Opportunities Fund to encourage young people to run local events and campaigns, a £5m investment to improve facilities for young people and the appointment of a coordinator to strengthen links with schools and youth workers.