Community engagement: the first stages

This resource is aimed at individuals and groups exploring the first stages of community ownership. There are specific requirements around the Scottish Land Fund and Community Right to Buy.

Community engagement is the principle of involving local people in decision making. If you want to buy a building or piece of land to benefit your community, involving local people from the start is essential. Community engagement should shape every stage of your project, from researching your idea and communicating your plans to how you structure your group and take decisions. It is an essential element of the community ownership journey.

How you approach community engagement impacts your project’s development and the funding and other support you can access, so it is important to get it right!