Response to Community Learning and Development Consultation

In 2024, an independent review is being undertaken on Community Learning and Development. You can read more about this review on the Scottish Government’s website. Corra Foundation responded to this review. When we respond to a consultation or provide evidence, we do so based on the learning gained from our work and insights gathered from grant holder reports. For this consultation, we only provided answers to questions that we had evidence to support forming a position on.

We work alongside communities, third sector organisations and local authority Community Learning and Development (CLD) teams through our Place Programme. Through this, we see the variety of approaches taken across Local Authorities to CLD and recognise that central to each is an aspect of community development. Community Development is an integral part of Community Learning & Development and has an important role to play in community planning and delivery of the Community Empowerment Act. Community Development is a key part of developing communities, their skills, and confidence in being able to input into decision making.

The focus on the formal learning aspect of CLD may miss the learning journey of community members who develop skills and confidence to deliver activities/services, establish community groups and organisations, as well as manage local assets. Often, rather than formal learning courses, these skills are developed through informal local groups and long-term, open ended participation in community activity. This allows time for building relationships, connections, and community specific support to be developed.

To fully consider the positive outcomes in line with Scottish Government priorities that CLD contributes to, we would encourage a broadening of this review to encompass, at least, Community Development work delivered by Local Authorities.

There could be further value in broadening the scope to consider a range of place-based initiatives which are working with communities across Scotland. Corra would be happy to share insights from our work in relation to this and make connections with the Place- based Learning Exchange whose membership has continued to grow since the publication of the Working Better Together in Place Report.

If you’d like any further information about this response or our work, please drop comms@corra.scot a message.