Scottish Rural Communities Policy Review: West Lothian case study

What is working well?

Responsive to community need

Community Led Local Development funding has been allocated to a range of organisations, that themselves are responsive to issues that are important to people in West Lothian. These include challenges with food and heating insecurity, housing, transport and access to green spaces. In response, funding has been allocated to support warm hubs, cooking equipment, and money advice sessions. Participants appreciated the flexibility of the funding in terms of supporting both revenue and capital for a wide range of organisations. Participants said Community Led Local Development funding helped organisations to secure other funding and respond directly to the needs of the community:

“It does have the potential to genuinely respond, when it’s broken down, and given to the small community groups or the board to look at what the needs are. And I think that’s great. Absolutely. It’s not just a big government fund. It's definitely tailored to the needs of the communities. It's definitely a benefit.”

Participants also noted that the Local Action Group functions well and that its members bring a wealth of experience and expertise across a variety of sectors. Some participants said it was particularly helpful to have members who had built up experience over many years. These members understood what has worked well over time and where gaps have existed. Participants emphasised the importance of Community Led Local Development funding due no other funder providing similar support:

“Just to reinforce how important this programme is. It's vital for us, for organisations like us. It's the support that we have received and the work that it has allowed us to deliver. It's really vital. We wouldn't have been able to deliver the work that we have had it not been for this particular fund.”