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

Scottish Rural Action

This chapter provides context for the Scottish Rural Action (SRA) theory of change (Figure 1.2) and key feedback from stakeholders involved in the design or delivery of this initiative.

Background

Scottish Rural Action (SRA) is a membership organisation established in 2013. It has an elected Board of Directors and staff team. More detail is available in the ‘Stage 2. Review of Policy and Delivery Context’ published alongside this report.

Vision and aims

The vision for Scottish Rural Action is as shown on their website. The aims are as shown in their latest Accounts. The timescale for Scottish Rural Actions vision is 50 years. Stakeholders emphasised the importance of capacity building and enabling rural and island communities to have control over their future in shaping the work of Scottish Rural Action. There was a strong call to move beyond a narrative of "doing for" rural communities and instead focusing on empowering them to set and lead on their own priorities.

Inputs

Stakeholders stressed that the most valuable input to Scottish Rural Action’s work comes from the rural and island communities themselves, highlighting their role in shaping the organisation's priorities and holding it to account. Scottish Rural Action staff, its board and membership are all part of these rural and island communities. Scottish Rural Action draws heavily on expertise residing within these communities and on community-led research and grey literature (such as academic articles). It was also noted that there is a strong volunteer presence in rural and island communities which should be recognised.

Stakeholders also emphasised the importance of collaboration with other organisations in relation to Scottish Rural Action’s activities, reach and amplifying its impact.

The main source of income for Scottish Rural Action is Scottish Government funding. However, the organisation has sought to diversify its income, including through donations or sponsorship, and paid-for services (for example, secretariat services or delivering workshops).

Activities

Building capacity for community activism was highlighted as a key activity which reflects Scottish Rural Action’s role in empowering communities to advocate for their own needs and aspirations. There is a particular focus on mobilising younger generations.

The activities in the Theory of Change are interconnected. For example, “platform building” was noted as being central to Scottish Rural Action's activities. These platforms often serve multiple purposes and cut across the categories outlined in the Theory of Change.

There was emphasis on the cross-sectoral and cross-geographic nature of Scottish Rural Action activity, and the ability to connect individuals and communities with shared interests. This includes connecting with groups that are not seen as traditionally represented, such as small local food producers.

It was also highlighted that Scottish Rural Action intends for activities to be accessible and co-designed with experts by experience.

Outputs

The outputs in the Theory of Change reflect what is produced as a result of the activities. These are often quantifiable, but stakeholders also highlighted the importance of capturing qualitative information (for example, not just how many events are run but how engaged members are). Further work would be needed to refine the outputs if these are to be used for evaluation purposes, perhaps including key performance indicators.

Short-medium term outcomes

As context for the short to-medium term outcomes, stakeholders emphasised that significant work is already being done by rural and island communities (notably by volunteers), particularly in areas such as climate change adaptation.

Long-term impacts

Scottish Rural Action typically see their long-term impacts as working on a 20-to-25-year timescale (towards the 50-year vision). The following were highlighted as key long-term impacts: evidence-based policy making that addresses structural barriers to rural and island development, and that rural and island Scotland is recognised, valued and resourced appropriately.

Stakeholders emphasised that rural and island Scotland is diverse, and that there will be different priorities and need across communities.