The Community Ownership Hub is researching the equalities and inclusion challenges faced by communities in buying land and buildings.
Community ownership can transform Scotland, but it needs to include everyone. The Clyde Valley benefits from a hugely diverse population, and contains dense urban neighbourhoods where over 80 languages are spoken, post-industrial housing estates, and former mining communities. The city of Glasgow is growing, with many New Scots joining us – between 2015 and 2019 Glasgow’s population increased by 4.4%, more than twice the rate of change in Scotland overall. Challenges of disadvantage persist, with 44% of the city’s population living in 20% of the most deprived areas in Scotland.
Community ownership expertise is held by a range of people, including those working in communities, support agencies, and advisors. The diversity of perspectives means that different experiences are brought to community ownership projects. We need to ensure that community ownership promotion and support is inclusive. For example, information should be in accessible formats and languages, events must reflect diverse accomplishments, and respond to diverse needs, etc.
To create a more equal, fairer society through community ownership, we need to make progress on equality in community ownership.
Our Approach
One of the Community Ownership Hub’s objectives is to conduct action research on diversity, inclusion and equality in community ownership. This has included:
- Developing a diversity and inclusion operational plan for the Community Ownership Hub.
- Improving our understanding of the needs of those we are helping, and refining our approach if needed.
- Reviewing our promotion work to ensure it champions under-represented groups, and is inclusive and accessible.
- Providing a pilot Tailored Support Fund to provide additional resources to those in areas with less resources.
- We know that community owners are doing amazing work including those diverse needs and different interests. We want to support this expertise and share their learning.
- Developing recommendations on how best to support inclusion and equality in community ownership.
- Reviewing our progress on all of this, and sharing our learning – including next steps.
Get in touch if you have any questions about this. We always welcome input and collaboration.
Our Work So Far
We are committed to supporting people of all backgrounds and from all areas. We understand we have a lot to do, and we are committed to ensuring equality, diversity, and inclusion are ingrained within everything that we do.
Here is what we have been working on:
