Tag: Community Wealth Building

New report demonstrates community wealth building in action: £21.8 million raised within Scottish communities

Democratic Finance Scotland has launched its latest report demonstrating 10 years of direct support to 70 community share offers.

The programme, which is part of Development Trusts Association Scotland (DTAS), assists communities across Scotland in raising and managing their own finance through democratic models like community shares, bonds and one-off community lotteries. In addition to providing expert advice, it also offers microgrants to help groups amplify their share offer campaigns – £206,476 of grant funding has been distributed collectively so far.  

Since its launch, the programme has helped community-led organisations raise a combined £21.8 million from 21,468 investors, including community members, local businesses and the wider public. The resulting enterprises have created long-term social and economic impact, including 208 new jobs.

The initiatives supported span a wide range of projects, from local shops and pubs to community-owned solar farms and hydro schemes – all of which exemplify the power of democratic finance to turn local commitment into real investment. 

Of all the organisations supported by Democratic Finance Scotland, 95% are still operating – demonstrating the impact of community resilience during especially challenging economic circumstances.

Morven Lyon, Head of Democratic Finance at DTAS, said: “The initiatives supported by DTAS are a prime example of using community shares to enhance public funding and put ownership and decision-making directly into communities’ hands.

“In giving vital projects the best possible chance of success, they also enable people to invest in the ideas they believe in. It means that money, jobs and control are kept in local areas, turning talk about community wealth building into tangible outcomes in our communities.

“We’ve reached significant milestones in Scotland over the past decade, with the total value of community assets acquired using community share offers reaching nearly £40 million, resulting in the creation of more than 200 jobs.

“Our team has worked hard to contribute to this success, working closely with the committed volunteers and staff of 70 community organisations across the country.

“The fact that almost all of the organisations we’ve supported are still operating shows what’s possible when communities are trusted to lead – and this impact is only set to grow over the next 10 years.”

CASE STUDIES

Bellfield Big Build

Last year, Democratic Finance Scotland assisted community-led organisation Action Porty in exceeding its target to raise funds to redevelop Bellfield church.

The building had been purchased by the Portobello community in 2018 – marking the first successful urban ‘Community Right to Buy’ in the country – and used as a driving hub for regular activities and events.

Seeking to refurbish the building to expand on its services, the Bellfield Big Build community share offer was launched last year.

With Democratic Finance Scotland’s expertise and support, Action Porty exceeded its minimum target within the first month, unlocking £450,000 in match funding from the UK Community Ownership Fund and raising a total of £168,525 in addition to doubling its membership to over 1,100.

Glenuig Community Inn

The programme also supported the community of Glenuig’s 2025 community share offer which aimed to secure ownership of the Glenuig Inn – a business central to the local population, providing jobs, accommodation, food and drink services and a vibrant events space.

With the current owner intending to sell the Inn, and several community-led organisations already thriving in the village, there was a unanimous agreement that a community buy-out would be the favoured option.

Through Democratic Finance Scotland’s support, the community received applications for more than 300,000 shares, securing the Inn’s long-term future as a welcoming, year-round hub at the heart of the village.

Glenuig Community Inn committee member, Louise Johnson, said: “Our DTAS Advisor was able to talk us through the requirements and good practice of how we should run our share offer prior to launching it.

“None of the committee had been involved in a community share offer previously, so the handholding was much appreciated. Similarly, providing the external consultant to assess us for the Community Shares Standard Mark was very useful and much appreciated. We were also awarded a microgrant to help with early marketing and promotion of the share offer.”

A-Decade-of-Community-Shares-in-Scotland_DTAS25Download

Community Wealth Building: Investing in local economies

The Community Wealth Building Bill has been passed by the Scottish Parliament. It will support investment in communities with councils, health boards and other public bodies focusing on the generation, circulation and retention of wealth in local and regional economies.

This could include buying or procuring more goods and services from local businesses, boosting social enterprises or helping community groups to acquire vacant buildings and land.

Public Finance Minister Ivan McKee said: “Community Wealth Building is an approach to economic development that can deliver sustainable growth and foster resilience in our local economies.

“This unique legislation will help to deliver more benefit from investment in local economies so that they become fairer, greener and more prosperous.

“It will also strengthen partnership working in our communities, and I look forward to working closely with public bodies to building on existing links.”

Neil McInroy, Chair of the Economic Development Association Scotland, commented: “We support the Bill because it marks a positive shift in economic development amid wider global crises and upheaval.

“Some local councils and many organisations across Scotland are already advancing Community Wealth Building, and this Bill provides the enabling framework that secures that progress and deepens it.

“By changing patterns of wealth, it boosts productivity, helps tackle child poverty and cost‑of‑living pressures, and builds economic dynamism. Crucially, it advances economic democracy by giving communities, workers, and all of us a fuller stake in Scotland’s future.”

Stacey Dingwall, Head of Policy & External Affairs (Scotland) at the Federation of Small Business (FSB) said: “FSB is a long-time supporter of the Community Wealth Building agenda, therefore it’s welcome to see the Bill pass today.

“Opening up public procurement contracts to small businesses is crucial to boosting economic growth, yet many still face barriers to accessing opportunities.

“Passing this legislation gives us a real chance to make progress here. Investing more public money in local businesses is also an investment in local job opportunities, ensuring as much wealth as possible is retained in local communities.”

Scotland will become the first country in the world to legislate for implementation of the Community Wealth Building economic development model at national, regional and local level.

Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill | Scottish Parliament Website

Major study to assess public health benefits of Community Wealth Building

Researchers have launched a major new investigation into the power of Community Wealth Building (CWB) to affect local economies and improve population health.

Glasgow Caledonian University will lead a £1.5million study to determine whether retaining more wealth in local communities can prevent premature deaths and tackle health inequalities.

CWB is an approach to economic development that aims to generate, circulate and retain more wealth within local areas.

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) is funding the three-year study to examine how CWB is being implemented and how it is impacting local economies and population health.

GCU will work in partnership with researchers from the Glasgow Centre for Population Health, the University of Glasgow and Lancaster University to assess whether CWB is improving economic and health outcomes. The findings will inform local economic polices across Scotland and other parts of the UK.

Neil Craig, Professor of Public Health Economics at the Yunus Centre for Social Business and Health at Glasgow Caledonian University and Co-Principal Investigator, said: “Economic inequality is a cause of health inequality.

“Ultimately, if CWB is found to be effective in improving health and reducing inequalities, this could lead to fewer premature deaths, particularly amongst economically disadvantaged communities.”

North Ayrshire became the first area of Scotland to adopt a CWB strategy in 2020. The approach is now being piloted in Clackmannanshire, Fife, Glasgow, the South of Scotland and the Western Isles. Councils work alongside major employers, businesses and partner organisations and commit to generating employment and spending resources locally.

Dr Micaela Mazzei, Reader at the Yunus Centre for Social Business and Health and Co-Principal Investigator, said: “Previous research shows that there is a need to better understand whether and how CWB can make a real difference.

“The stakeholders recognise the importance of this work and have pledged to offer practical support, share their expertise and act on the findings.”

Councillor Tony Gurney, Cabinet Member for Green Environment and Economy at North Ayrshire Council, added: “CWB has become an integral part of how we operate, helping to support both our local community and businesses.

“In the last financial year alone, more than £70million was spent locally with almost 900 suppliers. This research is timely and important as it will deepen the evidence base to increase our understanding of the wider impacts of CWB.”

Dr Jennifer McLean, Interim Director of the Glasgow Centre for Population Health, said: “We will work to ensure that the voices, expertise and perspectives of those working across various sectors involved in local CWB implementation in Scotland are able to shape and inform this project, so that the evaluation is grounded in local insights, and that learning is relevant to local people and communities.”

Community Wealth Building event

Thursday 26 June 10am at Capital Credit Union, Broughton House

Are you a community or third sector organisation based in Edinburgh?

Come and give your views on how we can use Community Wealth Building to support poverty prevention in the city.

Book a place for Thursday 26 June 10am at Capital Credit Union, Broughton House.

Create Community Wealth: The Movie!

Were you involved in the Create Community Wealth project?

If you were part of the Create Community Wealth project in any way, we kindly invite you to join us at the Cameo Cinema on Saturday 29 March at 12.15pm. The documentary film tells the story of this ambitious and rewarding project through the experiences of participants and staff alike.

Friends and family are welcome. We’d love for you to let us know if you’re planning to attend but you’re welcome to turn up on the day. However, if you’re bringing a large group, please let us know by emailing projects@whalearts.co.uk.

Entry at 12.15pm. The film starts at 12.30pm sharp. Social gathering in the Cameo Bar afterwards depending on availability.

If you have any additional needs or disabilities, please let us know so we can properly prepare the venue.

New major partnership will boost community wealth in East Lothian

Queen Margaret University (QMU) is joining forces with East Lothian Council and other key organisations across the country to support the authority’s efforts to increase community wealth in the region.

The University has become one of the first signatories of the council’s East Lothian Community Wealth Building Charter. The Charter, a formal partnership between East Lothian Council, QMU and other key stakeholders across the region, is part of the Scottish Government’s Community Wealth Building (CWB) approach to harness the economic and social leverage of influential anchor institutions  across the country.

By working across multiple organisations, East Lothian Council aims to harness the collective power which exists in East Lothian to create more job opportunities, increase business growth, improve wellbeing and deliver substantial economic benefits.

QMU is already embedding the concept of CWB through a significant new partnership with Bright Red Triangle, the enterprise hub at Edinburgh Napier University, in a move which will improve and extend the level of entrepreneurial support available to university, college and wider communities.

The QMU Start Up Studio will accommodate both Bright Red Triangle and East Lothian Council’s Business Gateway services on its campus in Musselburgh, presenting a significant opportunity in raising the profile of East Lothian as a place which supports and accommodates start-ups businesses and spin-out companies.

The Council and Queen Margaret University believe that CWB principles can also positively shape and drive academic engagement with the Edinburgh Innovation Hub – a joint venture between East Lothian Council and QMU and funded by the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal.

The new Hub, which is on track for completion in 2025, will be made up of flexible laboratory, office and fully equipped meeting and conference spaces for rent and will be a major asset to the local communities, as well as further afield.

The University has an important presence in the county through a combination of being a largescale employer, generator of entrepreneurial thinking and innovation, purchaser of goods and services, and controller of large areas of land and fixed assets in the locality.

Kim Stuart, Director of Research and Knowledge Exchange Development at QMU, said: “Queen Margaret University is totally committed to partnership working which delivers economic and societal benefits and the CWB approach aligns closely with many of QMU’s existing strategic objectives relating to social justice, wellbeing, sustainability, and more resilient local and regional economies.

“This new partnership presents a perfect opportunity for QMU to assist in enhancing the collective benefits which can be created within East Lothian. We hope that this relationship will help foster responsible entrepreneurship and develop solutions that have an impact on society, as a whole. We look forward to working with the Council and other organisations to create a strong and inclusive local economy.”

Councillor John McMillan, East Lothian Council’s Cabinet Spokesperson for Economic Development said: “We are delighted to be working with Queen Margaret University as a signatory of the East Lothian Community Wealth Building Charter.

“Their plans to embed it strategically within the university recognises the importance of this approach and offers a model for other organisations to follow to deliver maximum impact.

“Community Wealth Building aims to redirect wealth back into the local economy to benefit local people. As an authority we’re embracing the opportunities this offers to deliver a fairer and more prosperous East Lothian in line with our key council priorities.

“Our Charter brings together organisations who are committed to this approach and who will work together to create a strong and resilient local economy which benefits everyone.”

Councillor John McMillan concluded: “Community Wealth Building is a cornerstone of the East Lothian Local Economy Strategy.

“Its adoption by Queen Margaret University builds upon our strong partnership and, in particular, the links that exist with our Economic Development service to support entrepreneurial activity, business start-ups and growth.”

Building Community Wealth in North Edinburgh

PLANNING SESSION – THURSDAY 22 AUGUST

9.30am – 12pm at WEST PILTON NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE

For further information email: Evelyn@northedinburgharts.co.uk

Community Wealth Building: Scottish Government launches consultation

Views are being sought on ground-breaking proposals to help grow local economies and ensure more money stays in the hands of communities.

The Scottish Government is consulting the public on plans for new Community Wealth Building legislation – the first of its kind in the world – as part of its wider strategy to transform Scotland’s economy.

The consultation, which launched yesterday, will run for 12 weeks and seeks community, business and wider feedback on proposals to:

  • place a legal duty on public bodies such as health authorities and local councils to use the economic levers they have – for example in sourcing goods and services – to support the transformation of local and regional economies
  • promote co-operative, social enterprise and employee-owned businesses to ensure that more wealth which is generated locally stays local
  • create fair work opportunities for local people and those who face barriers to employment
  • ensure land and property are used for the benefit of local communities, business and the environment

Community Wealth Minister Tom Arthur launched the consultation at the Red Lion Inn in Culross, Fife, a community-owned pub and key local employer which aims to reinvest its profits back into the community.

Mr Arthur said: “We want to create an economy which delivers prosperity for all of Scotland’s people and places. Community Wealth Building is about enabling people to have a stake in the wealth that their local economy generates. This is central to our plans to reform Scotland’s economy for the wellbeing of current and future generations.

“While Community Wealth Building has grown in popularity in recent years, legislation has the potential to achieve more rapid benefits for communities, helping both people to earn incomes from fair work and more locally-owned businesses to bid for public sector contracts. Money spent locally is more likely to stay in the local economy and support local jobs.

“This public consultation will inform a Community Wealth Building Bill, which we will introduce to Parliament, to achieve these aims.

“I look forward to hearing a wide range of views on how we can use this process to transform our local economies to become greener, fairer and more prosperous.” 

Fife is one of five pilot areas supported to develop Community Wealth Building action plans.

Fife Council Leader Cllr David Ross said: “We are committed to creating a fairer Fife where we grow the local economy and everyone benefits from the wealth generated within our communities.

“That’s what community wealth building is about.  In Fife, in conjunction with local partners, we are already forging ahead with ground-breaking changes to embed community wealth building so that local people, communities and businesses benefit now and into the future.   

“The pilot programme in Fife has seen us implementing progressive procurement practices that are helping local businesses to bid for public sector contracts, making sure more local people receive the living wage and rolling out innovative training and recruitment programmes to ensure people have access to quality local jobs. Our key partners are all signed up to a charter to deliver change.

“Whilst we have seen this significant progress locally, reform of legislation would provide powers for greater change, and we welcome the opportunity to help shape a future Community Wealth Building Bill.” 

Anyone who wishes to have their say on Community Wealth Building legislation can do so here: https://consult.gov.scot/economic-development/community-wealth-building-consultation

Community Wealth Building: Zoom event

Dear Colleagues

Please find attached a zoom invitation to a meeting looking at Community Wealth Building.

The meeting will be hosted by Lesley Hinds, Chair of North Edinburgh Arts, with guest speaker Councillor Joe Cullinane, Leader of North Ayrshire Council. Please find attached a link to North Ayrshire’s Community Wealth Building strategy for information prior to the discussion.

https://www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk/Documents/nac-cwb-strategy-brochure.pdf

I this is of interest, and that you will be able to join the discussion on the 22nd. No registration is needed, simply use the link in the attachment, however it would be useful if you can reply to me in advance if you are going to attend to give me an idea of numbers.

Yours sincerely

Kate Wimpress / Director

North Edinburgh Arts, 15a Pennywell Court, EH4 4TZ        

NEA North Edinburgh Arts is inviting you to a Community Wealth Building meeting, by Zoom.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9661004253

Meeting ID: 966 100 4253