Scottish Rural Communities Policy Review: Orkney case study

What is working well?

Management and coordination of funding streams

Participants said Community Led Local Development funding is generally well integrated with other funding sources and strategies in Orkney. This is facilitated through the Council’s overview of different funding streams, with specific attention given to the timing and theming of calls for applications to complement other funding and avoid duplication. Participants highlighted the knowledge and experience of individuals working with the delivery of Community Led Local Development as particularly important. Participants said these individuals provided support and coordination with the Local Action Group:

“I think one of the key things that contributes to the success is the local officer team in OIC [Orkney Islands Council] are actually really good. OIC obviously has other funds as well, but some of that, those officials are very, very good at trying to link stuff across… They will try and work with you on how to make stuff work, because it's in their best interest for projects to work as well.”

Participants said short timescales around Community Led Local Development funding were a challenge, but the introduction of an ‘Expression of Interest’ phase in Orkney, based on indicative spend and existing criteria, meant that communities can submit applications in advance. The Local Action Group can then move quickly once funding is formally released to try to maximise the planning and delivery times for communities.

The allocation of Community Led Local Development funding was considered by participants as an investment in communities and was used to bring in funding from other sources, both within and outwith Orkney. Participants said Community Led Local Development filled an important need and had been used to support things like surveys, needs assessments and governance support. This helped build the confidence and skills of Community Development Trusts to do bigger projects and more ambitious community development:

“I've seen CLLD be a really good first step for some communities and some groups. They've got CLLD, they've done something with that that's proved successful. Then they've gone, okay, we can build on it. And then they've gone for Community Development Fund, or one of the other funds and stuff that the council administers.”

Networking among CDTs

One of the strengths highlighted by participants was how the Community Development Trusts are connected through regular meetings and networking events for the Community Development Officers organised by Highlands and Islands Enterprise and integrated with the Community Led Local Development coordinator. Whilst Community Development Trusts vary widely in their size, structure and focus, they also share experiences related to rural and island life. Such forums were considered by participants as open spaces where they can build peer support and were considered critical when Community Development Officers may be the only staff member in a Development Trust. They were also considered to be a space to build opportunities for collaborative projects including through Community Led Local Development and avoid duplication. Participants said insights from these meetings are shared with the Community Led Local Development Coordinator which was an important way to make sure Community Led Local Development funding was used effectively and collaboratively:

“We have such a great network and having that support, it has been absolutely vital for us. I don’t know that I would still be in post if I didn’t have that support…because you’re working so on your own…We’ve done all sorts of learning exchanges...there’s some joint funding applications… We all learn from one another. If somebody’s done something and it’s been successful, then we will all pass that knowledge on.”