How do we support ‘democratic wellbeing’ in Scotland?

This article was featured in the SCDC Weekly - 16th October 2024.

A new report has explored how democratic initiatives in Scotland can support enhanced democratic wellbeing: how much say communities have in the decisions that affect their lives. 

Published by Carnegie Trust UK, the report outlines a number of findings based on interviews with participants and commissioners of democratic initiatives. These findings range from ensuring proper spaces are created for deliberation, issues around ensuring accountability and transparency, and the importance of proper accessibility and inclusion as part of these processes.  

Carnegie have outlined a series of recommendations designing to resolve some of the issues raised by participants. These include establishing a minimum standard of delivery around democratic innovations that would ensure proper clarity of purpose, process, communication and ongoing accountability (perhaps similar to the National Standards for Community Engagement). 

They also suggest that decision makers should be encouraged to more effectively share power and support work at a local level where democratic initiatives work best. Through this support, people would be more able to be part of local democracy, and take action on the issues important to them. 

It’s clear that if we’re to move to new local, participative decision-making, as outlined in the recent Democracy Matters consultation, then we also need to invest in Scotland’s local democratic infrastructure to support people to use their voice and have real influence on how decisions are made. 

 
 
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