Urban Gathering

Community Land Scotland is hosting the 5th Annual Urban Gathering to bring together communities in towns or cities throughout Scotland who own, or are interested in buying, land or other assets. Responding to demand from our Members, this Gathering is focused on helping groups share their story across different audiences, allowing them to access funding opportunities, and supporting them with succession planning.

The event includes both practical sessions and lots of time to meet others who are working on innovative community land projects across Scotland’s towns and cities.

The morning session (10:00 – 12:00):

What is community ownership all about? This is our fifth Urban Gathering! Communities in towns and cities across Scotland have long been interested in owning buildings and land. In 2023, many more communities are embarking on the community ownership journey. We will explore the context of urban community ownership now, and how we can support continued success in the future.

Sharing your story: How can you tell your story? This session will feature presentations from three communities about their different approaches to storytelling. We will look at how these methods can deepen your impact in your community, and help you forge new connections!

Evidencing your social impact: a practical workshop, exploring the nuts and bolts of techniques that can measure the impact of your work in your community.

Lunch will be provided at 12:00.

The afternoon workshop (13:00 – 15:00):

This facilitated group session will help you identify how to increase your impact by exploring whose voices are present in your decision-making and work, and whose are missing. The workshop has been designed to increase awareness, knowledge and skills around diversity, equity, and inclusion in order to empower and enable you to drive cultural change within your organisation and community. Working with other communities facing the same challenges as you, you’ll build confidence to create an inclusive culture and develop concrete proposals for bringing that work to your communities.

Details and logistics

The event is free, and we want to ensure anyone can attend the event.

Let us know if you have any accessibility needs. We can pay for travel and childcare costs where those are a barrier to taking part.

We don’t have an official definition for ‘urban’ groups: if you want to come learn about urban community land ownership, regardless of the size of your settlement, please join us!

We start at 10:00 and end at 15:00 to allow people to travel from across Scotland. We’ll be hosting networking before for those who have a bit more time.

Questions?

Get in touch with Meg, Development Officer at meg.taintor@communitylandscotland.org.uk