YOUNG people across the Commonwealth are set to benefit from a special leadership programme.

A total of 100 people aged from 18 to 25 will take part in the four-day 33Fifty: Commonwealth Youth leadership Programme to learn leadership skills to help them in their studies, careers and civic life.

Senior leaders from across the Commonwealth will act as mentors encouraging the youngsters to make a difference in their countries.

Commonwealth Games Minister Shona Robison was in Glasgow at the Commonwealth Sports Development conference to announce the Scottish Government's £60,000 investment in the programme.

It will be delivered by the Royal Commonwealth Society and international leadership development organisation Common Purpose.

Ms Robison said: "We all know sport has the power to change lives.

"33Fifty will do this by embracing the size and scope of the Games and giving 100 young people the learning experience of a lifetime.

"Scotland is proud of being a good global citizen and in embedding learning and strengthening Commonwealth ties to Scotland; we are leaving a lasting international Games legacy that will benefit not only Scotland, but countries around the world."

The programme is called 33Fifty because 33% of the world's population lives in the Commonwealth and 50% of those are under 25.

One third of the 100 participants will be from Scotland, one third will be students from the Commonwealth currently studying or living in Scotland and a third will be encouraged to apply from across the Commonwealth.

The programme will run every four years, coinciding with the Commonwealth Games.

Mike Lake, director of the Royal Commonwealth Society said: "The Royal Commonwealth Society is delighted that 33Fifty will form a part of the Glasgow 2014 Games legacy."

Julia Middleton, chief executive of Common Purpose, said: "We are looking forward seeing the ideas that that the young Commonwealth Leaders will have as a result of their participation in 33Fifty."

matty.sutton@ eveningtimes.co.uk