YOUTH Borders are taking part in their first ever #iWill week this week, recognising the power of young people's voices and encouraging them to become engaged in social actions in their communities.

The youth organisation has teamed up with the Volunteer Centre Borders, making their pledges; to promote the roles young people can have in social action, help to improve lives through volunteer opportunities and letting Borders organisations and businesses know about the work youth volunteers do and make it a focal point in the community.

The #iWeek campaign actively pushes for local organisations to listen to young people, and allows the youth to express themselves through social action.

Susan Hunter, Chief Officer of YouthBorders said: "We are delighted to be working locally with Volunteer Centre Borders to raise the profile of social action and volunteering in the Scottish Borders.

"YouthBorders aims to improve young people’s lives through their participation in quality youth work; and in the year ahead we will be engaging young people in learning opportunities for leadership roles.

"We are looking forward to being part of the #iWill campaign as new pledging partners."

Executive Officer of Volunteer Centre Borders, Claire Penny, added: “The #iWill campaign encourages people to get involved in social action.

"Volunteer Centre Borders in partnership with YouthBorders will make this an absolute priority, not just in terms of promoting volunteering, but also in hearing from young people. Listening very carefully, making sure we take their advice and put them at the centre of all youth social action programmes.

"We are looking forward to the #iWill campaign strengthening and reinforcing the great youth work and participation that already takes place across the Borders."

Across Scotland this week, young people have also been encouraged to join the #iWill4Nature campaign. This branch of the campaign will ask the 32 local authorities in Scotland to host an Environment Committee in 2020, where young people and local politicians can collaborate to find environmentally friendly solutions in the community.

The #iWill Scotland Ambassadors, Abby Lang, Cerys Offord, Joel Meekison, Ben Fleming, Rachel Hatfield and Charlotte Donaldson unveiled the campaign's 'Power of Youth' tartan, using colours they associated with Scotland's natural heritage.

And as 2020 will be the year of Coasts and Waters in Scotland, it seemed only fitting that the ambassadors were joined by Stuart the Turtle, the Marine Conservation's longest serving staff member, for the launch on November 18.

Co-ordinator of #iWill Scotland, Jenni Snell added: “Young people’s voices have without doubt been the loudest in speaking up for the future of our planet.

"It should go without saying that those same voices are included in Scotland’s future environmental decisions.

"Through #iWill4Nature young people are calling on all of society to meaningfully listen to their voices and support them to take action.”