The Community Empowerment Action Plan, jointly developed with COSLA and colleagues in the third sector and announced in March 2009, encourages people in both rural and urban areas to participate in the running of their neighbourhoods.
The action plan provides clarity on what community empowerment is, why it is important and how communities can get involved.
A range of best practice examples from across Scotland are set out, providing information and inspiration for people who want to have a say in the decisions affecting their communities.
There is also information on the variety of grants that are accessible to community groups, providing potential investment of around £180 million from a range of government sources. Read the action plan.
Twelve case studies of community empowerment from a range of contexts across Scotland were outlined in the action plan. Read more about these examples in the 'In Our Own Words' case studies.
The first edition of the Community Empowerment e-newsletter has been published with inspiring examples of how communities across Scotland have become empowered, an update on progress of the Community Empowerment Action Plan, as well as news of upcoming events and other opportunities that may be of interest.