Review stages of Scottish Rural Communities Policy published

Details of two review stages of the Scottish Rural Communities Policy have been published

Stage 1 and 2 of the Scottish Rural Communities Policy Review has been published.

Stage 1 sets out four interim theory of change models and an overarching theory of change for the initiatives under review. These models will act as a research tool to inform the fieldwork stage of the review.

Stage 2 describes the recent, current and future policy and delivery context for three key elements of rural community funding and support: Scottish Rural Action, the Scottish Rural Network and Community Led Local Development.

The work forms part of a  review of three core elements of the Scottish Government’s existing funding and support for rural and island communities:

  • Community Led Local Development (CLLD): In 2021-22 the Scottish Government commenced its Community Led Local Development (CLLD) programme to replace LEADER in Scotland, which had operated for almost 30 years. The funding available through this CLLD programme is managed by 21 Local Action Groups (LAGs) across Scotland.
  • Scottish Rural Action (SRA): the key objective of the SRA is to build a grassroots-led rural movement in Scotland that connects rural communities with each other and with politicians and decision-makers. It is a membership organisation established in 2013 and has an elected Board of Directors and staff team.
  • Scottish Rural Network (SRN): The SRN was established in 2007 to support the delivery of the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP). It has evolved over time and is currently managed through the Network Support Unit. Its key priorities are to support and facilitate people from rural and island communities, businesses and the wider public to take part in policy developments that affect them and inform farmers, crofters, rural businesses and communities about wider policy and funding opportunities relevant to them.

The Scottish Rural Communities Policy Review (SRCPR), commissioned by the Scottish Government, commenced in late 2024 and will continue until early 2026 and is being lead by Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC).

Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, said:

“This work will directly inform the shape of the future rural support system as we implement the Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Act 2024 and I look forward to seeing the results.”

SRUC’s Dr Jane Atterton, who is leading the research, said:

“This is a hugely important piece of research and we’re looking to speak to as many people as possible. This is all about working with communities to hear about the challenges and opportunities they are facing.  This evidence from people across rural Scotland is critical to informing the new policies for supporting all of Scotland’s rural communities.”

You can access the reviews at the links below:

To find out more and to get involved, visit www.ruralexchange.scot/srcpr/ 

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