Scottish climate action hubs: independent evaluation

Highlands and Islands Hub Research Findings

The following section provides a summary of the research findings for the Highlands and Island Hub. As with the NESCAN research findings section above, this section is divided into the 3 main outcomes from the evaluation theory of change above. An analysis of these findings is provided in the Evaluation Section of this report.

Outcome 1: The H&I hub is facilitating the necessary resources for climate response

The purpose of this outcome is to assess whether there is evidence of the H&I Hub developing and providing access to the appropriate resources, such as data, information, and funding, to enable effective and collaborative action on climate change response.

Output 1: Facilitating knowledge sharing

The first output, show in figure 15 below, is intended to provide an indication of the extent to which knowledge and information sharing is being facilitated by the H&I hub.

Output

Facilitating knowledge sharing

Indicator

Evidence of knowledge and information sharing facilitated by the hub.

Figure 15: Output 1 Indicator Description

The H&I hub progress and annual reports provide a record of activities that suggest knowledge and information sharing is an important aspect of the hub. The reports suggest that by connecting and supporting communities, the hub facilitates collaboration and knowledge sharing among community groups, public, private, and third-sector partners. This helps to strengthen and increase collaboration and knowledge sharing across the region. The hub also delivers training to increase community climate literacy and empower communities to discuss climate change and associated environmental and social issues. There is evidence of regular digital engagement through social media and the development of a short film which raises awareness and widens participation in climate action.

The majority of stakeholders were also supportive of the view that the H&I hub had been effective in disseminating climate-related messages at a local level, making information relevant to communities and their existing interests and concerns. There was often mention of the newsletters, the direct contact from development officers, the Climate Festival event and various educational and training initiatives.

"Regular contact via email, regular digital and website updates, good old fashioned word of mouth and posters. The hubs activities have raised awareness of the climate change situation and support groups and people to make the changes we need to make."

One-to-one support from development officers has been very positively received by community groups. The hub has helped groups write climate action plans for buildings and facilities. Stakeholders noted that the information shared is often more about climate action and forward-focussed on how to mitigate, rather than dwelling on the “doom and gloom” of climate change-specific information “which can be overwhelming”.

"The hub has provided newsletters and information on the website detailing members’ activities and projects dealing with real-life issues arising from the climate crisis."

Output 2: Building community awareness

The second output, shown in figure 16 below, is intended to assess in what ways the hub is working to raise the community's awareness about climate change issues. This output assessed whether the hub is helping to grow the understanding of climate issues.

Output

Building community awareness

Indicator

Evidence of the hub building community awareness of the climate emergency.

Figure 16: Output 2 Indicator Description

The H&I hub’s documentation and website provide a range of examples of ways in which the hub is creating opportunities to build community awareness of the climate crisis. Engagement is reported with existing networks across the region, including Community Planning Partnerships, Climate Action Networks, Community Councils, and the Development Trust network. They offer support and advice on community-led climate action, community engagement, and the benefits of a holistic and partnership approach to climate projects. The H&I hub also conducts regular digital engagement through social media platforms and develops resources such as a short film and climate literacy training. However, the hub’s reports do not explicitly outline how, and to what degree, the awareness of community stakeholders has improved.

Stakeholders reported that there was previously a gap in climate action and activity in the region, and most agreed that that hub was playing a key role in building climate awareness in the communities it was engaged with.

Messaging was said to be clear and concise, and the social media presence was impressive.

“The hub has definitely filled a big gap in terms of their knowledge, experience, funding etc.”

The showcasing of community projects, particularly via an online film, was noted by many stakeholders. There was mention that the hub focuses on showcasing groups and projects to the community, allowing people within the communities to generate awareness and action themselves.

Stakeholders from partner organisations noted that the hub is reaching new sections of the community with climate information and said “they are really valuable” for accessing new areas.

The hub’s activity on building community awareness appears very strong in the areas they are engaged with. Many survey respondents, however, did not feel that their local communities had any contact with or benefit from the hub yet, so there is an opportunity to broaden the reach of the hub further into more communities across the full H&I area.

Output 3: Building relationship amongst stakeholders

The third output, shown in figure 17 below, examines how the hub is helping to build relationships between stakeholders. It assesses to what extent the hub is facilitating partnerships in the region.

Output

Building relationships amongst stakeholders

Indicator

Evidence of the hub helping to build relationships between stakeholders.

Figure 17: Output 3 Indicator Description

The H&I hub’s progress reports highlight a number of ways in which the hub is facilitating partnership building by engaging with various community planning partnerships, subgroups, and organisations in the region. They have attended meetings and networking sessions with community planning partnerships, poverty action groups, and destination tourism networks, The hub has also established partnerships with agencies such as Highlands Adapts, Zero Waste Scotland, Changeworks, Local Energy Scotland, and Home Energy Scotland.

Some stakeholders provided examples of ways in which the hub had connected them with representatives of other organisations, which had led to beneficial exchanges of information and gains of volunteers and funding. One stakeholder highlighted initiatives taking place in Badenoch and Strathspey and how, based on linkages made by the hub, the stakeholder is now intending to link up their own projects.

“The hub has given us information on other climate organisations which we can utilise when organising events or sharing information locally.”

The hub’s community development officers (CDOs) were noted to be very active in local networks and forums such as community partnerships. The local knowledge of the CDOs allows for the appropriate types of connections to be made.

“[The hub is] connecting me with others who might wish to take part in the project's research, development and/or eventual (hopefully) delivery.”

The Climate Festival, in particular, was highlighted as providing a platform for organisations to bring together various stakeholders and engage in a manner they hadn't been able to before. Other mechanisms highlighted included the website, emails and climate café events.

"Regular communication with all local groups, events, information sharing, signposting to funding, training and other opportunities. The hub has made it much easier for me to meet, build and strengthen working relationships with other groups and individuals in my area."

It is notable, however, that approximately half of the respondents to the online survey gave positive responses to this question. Negative or neutral comments highlighted that some stakeholders were unaware of the potential opportunities for this support and had not been approached/invited to engage in networking activity.

Outcome 2: H&I hub is stimulating low-carbon and climate resilient interventions

This outcome aims to assess the extent to which the H&I hub has been successful in encouraging and facilitating interventions that contribute to a sustainable reduction in carbon footprints and enhance resilience against the adverse effects of climate change. The outcome builds on the foundation created through Outcome 1 and explores whether the support and resources provided have translated into tangible, climate-smart initiatives on the ground, marking a proactive step towards achieving long-term environmental sustainability and climate goals.

Output 4: Stimulating climate action

Output 4, which is shown in figure 18 below, is intended to assess whether there was evidence of specific climate change interventions taking place as a result of the support form the hub.

Output

Stimulating climate action

Indicator

Evidence of the hub stimulating climate action in the community.

Figure 18: Output 4 Indicator Description

Overall, there is evidence that the H&I hub’s approach to stimulating climate action involves outreach, engagement, support, mapping, and resource development. The documentation reports that the hub has made progress on identifying and mapping existing climate action projects in the region, as well as keeping track of local funding sources that welcome climate action projects. This has helped to create an overview of ongoing initiatives and funding opportunities, allowing for better coordination and collaboration.

Stakeholders highlighted how the hub encourages communities to see climate action as a solution to other community needs. They mentioned the constructive and motivating influence of the hub, taking conversations out of the “doom loop” and moving people towards positive action.

"…by working with a positive and community-building attitude which encourages participation through optimism, rather than through scaremongering."

The hub’s staff were repeatedly highlighted as being “highly motivated”, “enthusiastic”, “encouraging” and “inspirational”, causing a “snowball effect” on other people’s motivation.

"Climate Hub staff are very proactive at contacting organisations with information on opportunities and funding that might support projects and climate action."

Within the survey, positive responses referred to resources provided to communities (funding, contacts, knowledge) and to the confidence and positivity that hub staff share. Specific examples included supporting a local community fridge with publicity and aiding the formation of a local gardening group.

"Having someone to talk projects through with or just pop in and have a cuppa is a such a benefit. It has led to more confidence in our community and more groups taking on projects that they may not have done without the professional support and friendship of the Hub and its staff."

In areas where the hub is active, stakeholders cite examples of existing groups becoming more prominent and new groups being supported in climate action initiatives. However, slightly less than half (approximately 40%) of the respondents to the online survey responded negatively or neutrally to the question: “In what way the hub was stimulating climate action in the community?”. Many stakeholders suggested that hub engagement was not yet taking place in their community or geographical area, some commenting as “Not noticeably” or “I don’t think it is”.

“I've not seen any interaction with our community, although I am involved with various charitable groups.”

Output 5: Supporting climate resilience

The purpose of this output, shown in figure 19 below, was to assess whether climate change resilience is also being promoted through the hub. For the purpose of this evaluation, the concept of resilience was broadly defined as both climate change adaptation related interventions as well as building adaptive capacity.

Output

Supporting climate resilience

Indicator

Evidence of the hub supporting your community to be more climate resilient.

Figure 19: Output 5 Indicator Description

The grant offers and project reports of the H&I hub state an aim to support community-led climate action in the region in its broadest sense, including community-led climate change mitigation, adaptation, and biodiversity projects. The hub works with communities to develop climate action plans in a place-based approach, which includes varying levels of adaptation and resilience focus, depending on local priorities. The hub also reports developing contacts, research, and partnerships, particularly with Highlands Adapts, and in the area of community land ownership and carbon credits to provide guidance and best practice.

Stakeholders reported positively that hub events focus on how to deliver activities in ways that address the mental and emotional aspects of climate resilience and help develop resilient, well-connected communities that are better equipped to pursue sustainable development and wealth building from within. For example, one stakeholder mentioned how the Velocity project supports mental health because it encourages physical activity but also allows people to meet up and socialise.

“People drop in for a chat, [the Velocity project has created] somewhere for people to go. That social element is quite important. The physical activity is important for people as well.”

Few projects were highlighted explicitly by stakeholders, but one was referenced by many from throughout the region. Many stakeholders were aware of the hub’s facilitation work in Golspie, an area of coastal retreat and flooding, where the hub has been facilitating conversations between community groups with concern and the Highlands Council.

“And one big one I've become really aware of is the flooding in Golspie, the village that I actually live in as well. The climate hub has been doing quite a lot of work to raise awareness of the impacts of the coastal erosion in that area.”

Output 6: Supporting regional response to climate change

The purpose of this output, shown in figure 20 below, is to assess whether the hub is playing a role in facilitating a broader regional response to climate change. A regional approach is typically significant for climate change response as actions often require collaboration with a wider regional audience.

Indicator

Evidence of the hub facilitating a coordinated approach to regional climate change response.

Figure 20: Output 6 Indicator Description

The H&I hub documentation suggests they are increasingly striving towards supporting the regional response to climate change by engaging with more and wider communities throughout the region. Over the pathfinder pilot period, they report on increasingly working collaboratively with local authorities, statutory agencies, third-sector organisations, and community groups to develop, support, and deliver community-led climate action. Through their work, the hub aims to create strong networks of support and assist communities in forming climate action plans aligned with local place plans.

The hub staff see the hub as sitting in the middle of a “massive web” of organisations, with a key role being making connections and signposting. Many stakeholder responses agreed with this view. There is a risk, however, of a key-person dependency here, with much of this knowledge and connection reported as coming directly from the hub manager.

“Without the hub this would all be much more disparate. They serve such a huge area and provide connection across it.”

Overall, the hub plays a growing role in empowering and enabling communities to take positive climate action in the region. Stakeholders reported a “huge amount more going on than previously”, with a landscape of competing over funding, changing to collaboration, and an increased recognition that the hub covers the whole region, rather than just the main urban areas.

There is an opportunity to develop this area further, though, as stakeholders also highlighted geographical gaps in coverage, particularly in the Shetland and Orkneys, and the potential to develop more strategic partnerships with local authorities and other statutory agencies in all areas.

Outcome 3: H&I hub is enabling potential future climate response to take place

This outcome seeks to evaluate the extent to which the H&I hub has not only supported effective climate action but also laid the groundwork for these actions to be sustained into the future. It considers the hub's approach to supporting interventions that can be replicated, whether the hub is impacting on policy and decision making or whether the hub is helping to unlock climate financing.

Output 7: Supporting replication and scaling up

This output, shown in figure 21 below, is intended to assess whether the hub is laying the groundwork for future climate change interventions to take place.

Output

Supporting replication and scaling up

Indicator

Evidence of the hub facilitating a climate change intervention pipeline for your community.

Figure 21: Output 7 Indicator Description

The H&I hub’s reports throughout the pilot phase show work on establishing itself in the community ecosystems of the H&I and forming key stakeholder relationships with local authorities, Highlands & Islands Enterprise, third-sector interfaces, and other organisations. The H&I hub has also been building strong relationships with agencies working in the climate action realm, such as Circular Communities Scotland, Sustrans, Cycling UK, Keep Scotland Beautiful, Scottish Communities Climate Action Network, Highlands Adapts and others. With this groundwork in place, the hub is now better positioned to increase the work being done in communities and raise the profile of community-led climate action throughout the region, laying the groundwork for future climate change interventions.

Many stakeholders interviewed felt less able to give a view on this aspect than on others discussed. However, some did make reference to the increasing number of similar projects, spreading organically from community to community after initial support and seeding from the hub, in particular community fridges.

"Film nights, networking sessions, climate cafe style events etc. are all easily replicable across the country."

"The Pride initiative that I am working on with the hub can absolutely be replicated and scaled. It could be the pilot for a new Green Pride movement across Scotland if the manifesto, action plan and associated support are made available to the other prides”.

The hub was praised for its ability to transfer practice from one area to another. This included applying knowledge learned from one area and describing it in a way that made it seem possible in other areas.

“There is a real skill of saying “we tried this here and it worked, let’s take the principles and adapt them to X” … Knowledge of how to pitch things to communities is strong in the hub.”

Stakeholders also noted that the successful expansion of initiatives was dependent on many external factors to the hub, and in particular, the funding landscape.

"By building capacity in local community organisations, they can pass their expertise to newer organisations. However, this will depend on the capacity of the existing organisations - The hub is an additional resource, and it is unrealistic and unfair to assume that third sector organisations can assume this role without dedicated resource."

Output 8: Supporting policy input and decision making

The purpose of this output, shown in figure 22 below, is to assess whether the hub's interventions are influencing policy input and decision-making processes. By providing informed contributions to policy discussions, the hub would aim to create an enabling environment where climate action can be effectively integrated into local governance, thereby securing the longevity and adaptability of its initiatives.

Output

Supporting policy input and decision-making

Indicator

Evidence of the hub activities resulting in an impact on local and national policy.

Figure 22: Output 8 Indicator Description

The H&I hub’s documentation suggests that it aims to support policy input and decision-making by engaging with communities and Community Planning Partnerships in all areas across the Northern Highlands & Islands region, though reports highlight challenges in ensuring full geographic coverage in practice. Additionally, the hub reports working collaboratively with Climate Action Towns projects to support the development, design, and delivery of community-led climate action projects. This includes providing carbon literacy and net zero policy training to community and third-sector organisations. The hub aims to empower communities to actively participate in policy setting, decision-making, and local place planning by fostering collaboration and providing resources.

Hub staff noted that they have not focussed on influencing national policy upwards yet but are feeling increasingly confident to do and intend to be a larger focus in the future, starting with increasing participation in policy consultations.

Stakeholders were generally unaware of any examples of this nationally or at local authority level. Some did highlight very local influence, where the hub had been encouraging communities to think more about sustainability and develop environmental policies for local annual events such as chain sawing contests.

“Local events are developing sustainability policies, and the Hub reviewed these for them.”

Only a few online survey respondents few were able to cite specific examples or policy input. Those mentioned were engagement with Highland Council climate policy development and influence with the Scottish Rural Islands Parliament.

Output 9: Enabling access to climate finance

The last output, shown in figure 23 below, within the third sustainability-related outcome is how much the hub is mobilising additional climate finance. By mobilising additional climate finance, there would be an increased probability of interventions being sustained in the future.

Output

Enabling access to climate finance

Indicator

Evidence of additional funding been unlocked with support from the hub.

Figure 23: Output 9 Indicator Description

The H&I hub documentation suggests it has provided a range of resources and support to help community-led climate action projects access additional funding, including:

• Mapping Exercise: The hub has conducted a mapping exercise to identify local funding sources that welcome climate action projects.
• Promotion and Support: The hub actively promotes climate action funding opportunities and offers support in developing funding applications. The hub has provided guidance and training on how to navigate the funding landscape and connect community groups with relevant funding opportunities.

Some stakeholders were able to cite specific examples of how their projects that had received seed funding from the hub were able to go on to use this as match funding from other sources, such as local authority grant schemes.

It is not possible to quantify the scale of additional funding being unlocked by the hub’s activity, but a number of stakeholders highlighted how the hub has built their capacity to apply for and manage funding and provided targeted training around fund applications. Stakeholders describe funding masterclasses they had attended as “fantastic”, helping them understand how to raise and match funds, as well as the “nitty gritty” of project management.

The support that the community development officers have provided (workshops and conversations) to assist groups with developing funding applications was praised.

"They have enabled groups like mine (to) access funding. They help and support applications with staff time and knowledge. The Hub have a local staff presence in my area. It is brilliant for small groups to have that expertise and access to support that isn't available normally to small charities, individuals or even larger groups where volunteers are the main staff."

Impact

In addition to the output indicators listed above, two impact indicators were also developed to help better understand the overall impact of the hub. The first indicator, shown in figure 24 below, was aimed at assessing whether there was evidence of the hub facilitating a just transition. For the purpose of this evaluation, the definition of a just transition was adapted from the Scottish Just Transition Commission and defined as interventions that “ensure the benefits of climate change action are shared widely, while the costs do not unfairly burden those least able to pay”.

Indicator

Evidence of the hub supporting a just transition.

Figure 24: Impact Indicator 1 Description

The H&I hub’s reports and documentation note that the hub is supporting a “just transition” in the region by encouraging community-led climate actions to be inclusive and beneficial to the local populations. It strives to engage communities, local authorities, and other stakeholders in collaborative efforts to accelerate climate action at a community level and achieve a fair and equitable transition to a net-zero future.

Stakeholders reported that the hub makes a deliberate effort to engage communities that may not typically have the resources to engage in climate action. This was particularly evident in their role with the Climate Action Towns initiative. The hub is said to be providing these communities, especially those ranking higher on the SIMD index (Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation), with the necessary tools, space, and resources to engage in climate action.

Stakeholders also noted that hub staff take a holistic approach to supporting communities, first asking “what are the community’s needs?” and then considering how that priority can be tackled, with a solution that has a climate co-benefit.

“Not just what is good for the planet but what is good for people as well.”

“We can’t do climate justice without social justice.”

Some stakeholders praised the hub’s ability to engage parts of communities that other statutory bodies are not engaging with. They felt the hub is able to advocate for communities that other organisations don’t usually see and can share the needs of that community with regional stakeholders.

The second impact indicator, shown in figure 25 below, aims at assessing the hub’s role in supporting wellbeing economies and community wealth building.

Indicator

Evidence of the hub supporting wellbeing economies and community wealth building

Figure 25: Impact Indicator 2 Description

The H&I hub is primarily focused on supporting community-led climate action across the region. While the programme documentation does not set out or report on explicit work on wellbeing economies and community wealth building, there is much evidence of progress on community engagement and climate action that contributes to the broader goals of sustainable and inclusive development. The hub supports a variety of projects that promote sustainable places and improve life outcomes, such as energy and waste reduction projects and resilience initiatives. This support can come in different forms, including funding, personnel, or simply signposting information.

Stakeholders highlighted the hub's role in sharing information and promoting what can be done as crucial in stimulating new ideas and actions in the field of climate change.

“Without the Hub it is less likely that much of this would have happened. The Hub provides a go-to place for advice, direction, good practice.”

Stakeholders also noted the benefits of having regionally-based support and local access to Development Officers saying that “The hub really understands the landscape of the H&I.”

“It’s great that we have access to a climate hub and that isn’t centralised in Glasgow or Edinburgh. The Highlands doesn’t always get representation. The interventions are tailored to communities in the Highlands.”

Stakeholders also noted the hub facilitates the growth of strong, resilient, and proactive communities by connecting, supporting, representing, and promoting the third sector across the Highlands. Hub staff are part of various steering groups and bodies focused on climate action, fair food, and local resilience.

"The hub is providing additional community learning and development in areas across Highland where there is very little additional on the ground support for community groups."