| 1. |
- Currie, Mags, et al.
(author)
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Understanding the response to Covid-19 : exploring options for a resilient social and economic recovery in Scotland’s rural and island communities
- 2021
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- This research considered the impacts of Covid-19 on rural and island communities, how resiliently they have responded; and the most effective ways forward for their recovery. Our research approach involved: interviewing people in key rural sectors then producing a map to identify factors of resilience. This map was used to identify case study communities. Interviews were undertaken in these communities to understand local perspectives.Rural and island communities have been vulnerable to the impacts of Covid. Specific factors that have increased their vulnerability include reliance on limited employment sectors, being located far from centralised services (e.g. hospitals), limited digital connectivity; and an ageing population. Communities with a more resilient response had some or all of the following features: a strong sense of community; community organisations and local businesses that have been responsive to local needs; the existence of strategic partnerships between community organisations and the public/private sector; and good digital connectivity.Covid-19 has brought rural vulnerabilities into sharp focus and these vulnerabilities are often connected. Strategic and joined-up partnerships between community, public and private sector organisations will remain important, as well as novel and flexible funding mechanisms to enable place-based and context-specific responses.This research highlighted nine actions that would assist rural and island communities to thrive in the future. These include: 1. Building on existing and new partnerships and supporting anchor organisations 2. Capitalising on and rewarding community spirit 3. Encouraging and supporting young people to move to rural and island communities 4. Retaining and enhancing digital connectivity opportunities 5. Supporting adaptable local businesses 6. Strategic partnerships with deliver place-based solutions 7. Continue to support diversification of the rural economy 8. Enhancing the knowledge base on local-regional vulnerabilities 9. Retaining a flexible, targeted and responsive approach to financial support.
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| 2. |
- Glass, Jayne, et al.
(author)
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Case studies of island repopulation initiatives
- 2020
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The Scottish Government made several policy commitments to stem rural depopulation and attract more people to live and work in rural and island communities. This report presents Scottish and international examples of successful policy interventions to support repopulation of island and remote rural communities, which could be piloted in similar communities in Scotland. The report considers examples from six countries, including Scotland.
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| 3. |
- Glass, Jayne, et al.
(author)
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Facilitating local resilience : case studies of place-based approaches in rural Scotland
- 2021
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- This report explores the extent to which place-based approaches can deliver positive economic and social outcomes in Scotland’s rural areas and small towns. We studied five case studies of place-based approaches in rural Scotland:1. Tackling the climate emergency in Callander2. Strengthening Communities in the Western Isles3. A Heart for Duns: the changing role of a local development trust4. Partnership working for place-based policy: lessons from Initiative at the Edge5. Land reform policy and transformational community changePlace-based approaches in rural Scotland have enabled community capacity building, community ownership/management of land and assets, and partnership-working to deliver local outcomes and services. A flexible national and regional place-based policy framework can be supportive of local place-based approaches, but should acknowledge different local circumstances, assets and needs, and the lived experiences of local people.Place-based approaches require financial and other development support/advice in the early stages. This might be particularly in relation to locally-led community planning to address place-based needs, acquiring local community assets and creating links between local actors and broader regional/national policy processes. More flexible place-based policy frameworks should be developed at national and regional level which facilitate cross-sectoral working, break down silos and encourage collaboration between different actors and governance levels (including communities and local authorities).The research identifies four recommendations to enhance rural place-based approaches:1. Long-term, flexible investment in place-based approaches is needed to ensure the delivery of solutions rooted in community needs and local action.2. Communities need to be able to operate with a degree of autonomy to increase competence, capacity and confidence at the local level.3. This local autonomy needs support from national/regional levels over the long-term, by transferring resources, ensuring that the voices and experiences of communities are heard, and working in (equal) partnership across governance levels.4. There is a need for mechanisms by which the key features and requirements of national and regional policy are translated into something tangible and relevant at the local level.
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| 4. |
- Rust, Niki, et al.
(author)
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Perceived Causes and Solutions to Soil Degradation in the UK and Norway
- 2022
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In: Land. - : Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute. - 2073-445X. ; 11:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Soil quality is declining in many parts of the world, with implications for the productivity, resilience and sustainability of agri-food systems. Research suggests multiple causes of soil degradation with no single solution and a divided stakeholder opinion on how to manage this problem. However, creating socially acceptable and effective policies to halt soil degradation requires engagement with a diverse range of stakeholders who possess different and complementary knowledge, experiences and perspectives. To understand how British and Norwegian agricultural stakeholders perceived the causes of and solutions to soil degradation, we used Q-methodology with 114 respondents, including farmers, scientists and agricultural advisers. For the UK, respondents thought the causes were due to loss of soil structure, soil erosion, compaction and loss of organic matter; the perceived solutions were to develop more collaborative research between researchers and farmers, invest in training, improve trust between farmers and regulatory agencies, and reduce soil compaction. In Norway, respondents thought soils were degrading due to soil erosion, monocultures and loss of soil structure; they believed the solutions were to reduce compaction, increase rotation and invest in agricultural training. There was an overarching theme related to industrialised agriculture being responsible for declining soil quality in both countries. We highlight potential areas for land use policy development in Norway and the UK, including multi-actor approaches that may improve the social acceptance of these policies. This study also illustrates how Q-methodology may be used to co-produce stakeholder-driven policy options to address land degradation.
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| 5. |
- Warren, Rachel, et al.
(author)
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Attitudes to land reform
- 2021
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- This report presents the main findings from a research study exploring the public’s attitudes to land reform. The study was conducted on behalf of the Scottish Government by Ipsos MORI Scotland in collaboration with Scotland’s Rural College. Fieldwork took place between Spring and Autumn 2020.The aim of this research was to investigate the public’s attitudes to land reform and community engagement in decisions about land use and provide a nuanced understanding of what policy options are likely to meet the public’s priorities.A mixed-method approach was adopted, comprising: an evidence review, eightinterviews with expert stakeholders, a mixed mode (online and telephone) survey of 1,501 respondents aged 16 and over, and a deliberative stage which involved 10 online workshops and 12 interviews.
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