Rural Communities Policy Review: research and findings

Introduction

The Scottish Rural Communities Policy Review (2024 to 2026) is an independent study commissioned by the Scottish Government and led by Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) in partnership with Ipsos and the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI).

The review explores the roles and impacts of the Scottish Rural Network, Scottish Rural Action and Community Led Local Development, structured across four stages: theories of change, evidence review, fieldwork and final reporting. Findings will inform future rural community policy.

This collection brings together published outputs from the review. Further publications will be added as the project progresses, with all outputs expected by June 2026.

Theories of change

The first stage of the project developed four theory of change models: one for each element and an overarching theory of change.

• Scottish Rural Communities Policy Review: stage 1 - theories of change

Evidence review

The second stage of the project explored recent, current and future policy and delivery context for rural and island community funding and support.

• Scottish Rural Communities Policy Review: stage 2 - review of policy and delivery context

International case studies

International case studies setting out relevant national rural context and its development over time.

• Scottish Rural Communities Policy Review: stage 2 - Canada case study
• Scottish Rural Communities Policy Review: stage 2 - England case study
• Scottish Rural Communities Policy Review: stage 2 - Finland case study
• Scottish Rural Communities Policy Review: stage 2 - Ireland case study

Research findings

A report describing findings from research with rural and island stakeholders to review Scottish Rural Network, Scottish Rural Action and Community Led Local Development.

• Scottish Rural Communities Policy Review: Scottish Rural Network, Scottish Rural Action and Community Led Local Development review report

Community case studies

Six place-based case studies present findings from research with rural and island communities, alongside a separate case study focusing on young people aged 18 to 30 living or working in rural and island Scotland.

• Scottish Rural Communities Policy Review: East Borders case study
• Scottish Rural Communities Policy Review: East Moray case study
• Scottish Rural Communities Policy Review: Harris and Scalpay case study
• Scottish Rural Communities Policy Review: Lochalsh and South Skye case study
• Scottish Rural Communities Policy Review: Orkney case study
• Scottish Rural Communities Policy Review: West Lothian case study
• Scottish Rural Communities Policy Review: Youth case study

Monitoring and evaluation

Publications will be added as the project progresses.