Cold Spots of Community-led Activity

This research by Community Enterprise responds to persistent challenges within the community asset and development sector around the availability of certain communities to benefit from the opportunity, support and resources available for community-led action.

The research explores areas of Scotland where community-led activity is less visible, supported, or successful – so called ‘cold spots’ – and draws on both data and lived experience to better understand where and why these disparities exist.

With input from communities, national stakeholders, and support organisations, the report:

• identifies ‘cold spot’ areas and patterns in the uneven distribution of community-led activity across Scotland
• highlights the role of systems and support structures
• discusses enablers and barriers and how they vary across the country
• explores seven regional case studies including Aberdeen, East Dunbartonshire, Dumfries and Galloway, Dundee, Falkirk, North Lanarkshire and Shetland
• offers practical recommendations to funders, public bodies and support organisations

Some key findings and recommendations from the report include:

• 80% of cold spots for community-led activity identified by the research were in the Central Belt of Scotland, while rural areas generally showed higher levels of such activity.
• Rural areas frequently fill service gaps with community-led solutions and market failures in rural areas often create spaces for community-led activity.
• Investment flows, transport infrastructure and history and tradition of community activism also affect the vitality of rural communities.
• The areas with lowest community-led activity were also shown to have the lowest levels of engagement with support programs.
• Policymakers and practitioners should tailor support strategies to address the unique challenges of cold spots.
• Locally designed solutions and devolved decision-making processes should be promoted to address unique local challenges.

The research is intended to spark thoughtful, open dialogue within and between communities and those who support them – with a strong focus on how we can work together to support thriving places, learn from good practice and uncover opportunities for action.

We are pleased to support this work, in partnership with Scottish Rural Action.

Click the image above to read or download the report.

Watch the ‘Cold Spots of Community-led Activity webinar where Community Enterprise introduce the report and discuss the research’s implications with a broad range of sector partners.

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