PYPA 21 is an independent organisation that is supported by Plymouth City Council.

PYPA 21s overall purpose is to help the young people of Plymouth to get involved in 'Agenda 21', the international framework for sustainable development that was agreed to by the worlds governments at the 'Earth Summit' in Rio de Janeiro. 'Agenda 21' is made up of 40 chapters, of particular interest to PYPA 21 is chapter 25, entitled 'Children and Youth in Sustainable Development'. This chapter recognises that youth of today will be the adults and decision makers of tomorrow and as such will form an integral part of the long term success of 'Agenda 21'.

It is PYPA 21s task to initially create awareness amongst the younger generation of Plymouth of 'Agenda 21' and then to gather information from them about what concerns they have. There is no prompting on PYPA 21s part as to what these concerns might be and it is this principle that forms the backbone of PYPA 21.

Once these concerns are known it is PYPA 21s duty to inform those who need to know, such as local government officials and politicians, so that their decisions will be better informed ones. PYPA 21 promotes the full involvement of its members throughout this process.