Community Participation Action Learning Report
/This report aimed to develop learning, take actions, improve practice and reflect together on opportunities and challenges in the current context.
Read MoreWhat we do
We work directly with community organisations, people who work in communities and with people who make policy.
We deliver large scale programmes across Scotland to help build the capacity of the community sector, support public agencies to work effectively with communities and to widen participation in local democracy.
We support and manage a series of networks, using our learning from these and working with communities and community practitioners to inform policy and legislation.
A major part of our work is providing research, training and consultancy services. All of our services are tailored to meet the individual needs of the organisations and partnerships we support. Find out more about our training.
We work closely with the European Community Development Network and the International Association of Community Development.
Our key work
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Our resources
Knowledge is Power
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SCDC and the Poverty Alliance worked with ten community organisations to co-design a resource framework which could be used to support communities across Scotland to conduct their own inquiries into the issues affecting them.
Read MoreUnderstanding our Community: Community-led action research
/Training: Learn about the core values and processes of a community-led action research approach.
Read MoreCommunity-led Action Research
/SCDC has strongly supported Community-led Action Research for many years. We have substantial evidence that this form of research has built the capacity of individuals and communities to evidence the need for and achieve positive change in the services or support provided to their community.
Why Community-led?
By community-led we mean research defined, undertaken, analysed and evidenced by members of the community themselves. It is therefore research OF and BY the community and not, as is traditional, ON and TO the community. This distinction is fundamentally important because in the community-led approach it is the community who define and carry out the research to gather evidence and make recommendations for change.
Why Action Research?
Action research is about using research tools and methods appropriate to engaging with the community concerned. Example methodologies would include drawings, photography, video diaries; drop in sessions and story dialogue; these methods being used in conjunction with or instead of traditional methods such as questionnaires.
Emphasis is placed on ensuring the community is informed of the results of the research in ways that are appropriate to engaging them and showing the importance of their contribution.
Although support and training may be required for those undertaking the research, our evidence shows that, in addition to obtaining high quality research information, a community action research approach delivers:
Increased capacity and confidence individually and in community groups
Increased skills base which can be used again and which is transferable
Groups have increased community support
Evidence on which communities have been able to successfully argue the need for change in services and support for their community.
To find out more get in touch.
New!
Knowledge is Power is a new programme to support community-led action research in Scotland. Find out more here.
Community-led Action Planning Toolkit
/SCDC developed this toolkit for Argyll & Bute Council, to support local community organisations to carry out community-led action planning
Read MoreAction Research by, in and for Communities (ARC)
/ARC is to help community and voluntary groups carry out research in and with their communities.
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