Scotland: National Rural Network
This seminar is designed to engage a wide range of stakeholders in thinking how social science insights can give a fresh perspective on what makes some rural communities more dynamic than others, and how the evidence on rural community empowerment can be applied in ‘real life' situations.
The first issue of the new community empowerment electronic newsletter is now available from the Scottish Government website. As well as updating readers on the progress of the Community Empowerment Action Plan, and detailing training and upcoming events, the newsletter includes inspiring examples of how communities across Scotland have become empowered, from Orkney through South Lanarkshire to Dumfries and Galloway.
On 1st September 2009, three new staff joined Development Manager Stuart Lindsay to formally launch Ailsa Horizons Ltd, the new rural regeneration company for South Ayrshire. The new team's role is build on the successful track record of the local economic development team that has operated from its base in Girvan since 2002 - initially as a project of the former Social Inclusion Partnership and more recently as a Council project.
We are setting up an Empowerment Centre which offers greater scope for personal fulfilment than past models. An Empowerment Centre is a place where knowledge and information can be exchanged to the benefit of the whole community.
Disabled groups were never set up to become independent organisations that earn a significant income. That simple fact alone encourages user led groups into a dependency trap, where outside bodies have the financial power to grant or withhold funding.
Community Links was established by community representatives in February 2002 as an independent organisation for community consultation and engagement. Originally serving Blantyre and North Hamilton, in line with the then ‘Social Inclusion Partnership' (SIP) geographical areas, Community Links is a company limited by guarantee with charitable status.
The third day of the International Rural Network Forum in Udaipur, India, saw delegates striking off in different directions to see a wide variety of projects during field trips.
As with any conference, the field trips were probably the most memorable part of the event. It was a great privilege to get an insight into the lives of people in rural Rajasthan and to hear about the challenges they face and the successes they've achieved.
Nicky Donald tells us about the Buchan Development Partnership which was established in 2000. You can find out what their greatest achievement so far has been, what challenges they face and what top tips they have for others.
The Scottish Government have announced a major rural networking event that will bring people together to drive forward a bright future for rural Scotland. The Rural Gathering will take place in Perth on 25th September 2009. The event will be an excellent opportunity for stakeholders from across rural Scotland to get together to share good ideas and practices.
By Vanessa Halhead and Jon Hollingdale
On March 6th - 8th 2009, two Scottish community sector delegates attended the annual meeting of the European Rural Community Association (ERCA) in Amsterdam: Jon Hollingdale of the Community Woodlands Association, representing Local People Leading, and Vanessa Halhead from the Scottish Rural Community Network steering group. Vanessa is also currently the co-ordinator of ERCA. The purpose was to contribute to the ongoing development of ERCA, and to assist and inform the development of a Scottish Rural Community Network.
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