Scottish Rural Communities Policy Review: Orkney case study

Key learning and recommendations from Orkney

The most important need identified by participants was for longer term, multi-year funding cycles for Community Led Local Development. Participants said this would allow better planning and would enable more community organisations to benefit. The use of an Expression of Interest process in Orkney is one shorter term way of enabling more time for communities to be able to deliver in the meantime, but participants considered it more of a coping mechanism than a solution.

The coordinating role played by the team in Orkney Islands Council was considered beneficial, and participants emphasised that the relational approach and expertise of the Community Led Local Development Coordinator was instrumental to its success. This personal approach should be valued, with a suggestion to increase the size of the staff team to reduce the strain on individuals and ensure there can be more support available for applicants. Secondly, the ability of officers to complement Community Led Local Development funding with other sources was considered hugely beneficial for organisations seeking to apply for funding, ensuring that funds were strategically managed for different priorities.

The organisation of a Community of Practice among the Community Development Officers was identified as a key way to build collaboration and share learning. As such, the importance of local place and role-specific peer support within community development should be considered part of future developments. Connecting these discussions with the Community Led Local Development Coordinator at appropriate times was a key way to ensure funding and wider support were responsive to community needs. Wider support from the Scottish Rural Network and Scottish Rural Action could identify where there are already existing networks like this and build connections between groups. However, participants noted that any further coordination should be strategically directed to avoid duplication and cover all relevant areas of policy and practice in rural community development.

The views expressed in this report do not necessarily represent those of the Scottish Government or Scottish Ministers.