It’s not unusual to read that the many problems we face in society today are linked to a chronic underinvestment in the institutions of civil society. What is unusual is when the person delivering that critique is the Chief Economist of the Bank of England. In a wide ranging speech on the impact of the … Continue reading Bank Backs Sector
Scotland The Brave
Recording community ownership
It was suggested that someone might consider mapping the growth of community ownership of assets around Scotland. A couple of eager beaver consultants got back in touch to register an interest. Rumour has it the folk from the Community Land Team in Scottish Government say that they’re working on something very similar, and that we … Continue reading Recording community ownership
European funds at risk
EU auditors have suspended payments on the £22m that Scotland receives from the European Social Fund due to concerns over the programme’s management. Unease around the internal systems that were being designed for the European Social Fund stretches back to when the original rules for the management of the programme were being drafted. Advice from … Continue reading European funds at risk
Volunteering Trends in Scotland
To better understand the volunteering landscape in Scotland, we have completed a time series analysis of the Scottish Household Survey (SHS) from 2007 – 2017. https://www.slideshare.net/VolunteerScotland/volunteering-in-scotlandscottish-household-survey-2007-2017-summary-report-updated-jan-2019 Download Summary Report (PDF) We know that volunteering contributes to Scotland’s economic and social prosperity: more than 1.2 million people volunteered last year and contributed an estimated £2.26 billion … Continue reading Volunteering Trends in Scotland
Fish farms caught short
There must be some good news stories about salmon farming but to come across one is like finding a unicorn. The following is much more typical of the reports that are coming out of this ever-expanding industry. So it’s not surprising that many coastal communities are on high alert when fish farm companies come calling with plans … Continue reading Fish farms caught short
The power of the volunteer
A BBC documentary called the 'Great Storm That Saved a City' provides a fascinating insight not only into the storm itself, but how it played its part in transforming Glasgow’s housing and in particular how it sowed the seeds of the city’s community controlled housing associations. These tenant-led organisations have consistently argued for their governance to … Continue reading The power of the volunteer
Why is this even tolerated?
Ten years after Greener Kirkcaldy began tackling disadvantage and inequality within their town, last week local people were celebrating the official opening of their new community hub. With purpose built premises, Greener Kirkcaldy can continue tackling food and fuel poverty in the town, but always with an eye to promoting Kirkcaldy as a greener and fairer place … Continue reading Why is this even tolerated?
