Large and small, rural and urban, mainland and island-based, communities all over Scotland are setting up development trusts to help their neighbourhoods flourish through community-led activity, partnership working and enterprise.
Over the past three years, SURF’s Dunoon Area Alliance has been supporting the development of community-led action on regeneration priorities, as identified through the Think Dunoon Charette. Over the course of this work it has become increasingly apparent that Dunoon would greatly benefit from having a central, constituted organisation to support effective partnership work on priority issues. A development trust would provide a body able to apply for funding and co-ordinate regeneration developments with and for our community.
With this in mind, Dunoon Area Alliance is currently supporting action to establish a new Dunoon Community Development Trust. Similar to other development trusts operating successfully across Cowal, it is proposed that the Trust should apply for registration as a two-tier Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO). This registration would establish a membership organisation, open to all, with an elected board of trustees. Trustees would be expected to undertake training, as provided by the Development Trust Association of Scotland.
Next Steps
If you are interested in supporting the set-up of a Dunoon Community Development Trust, or if you would like further information, please email ann@surf.scot to be added to a specific email mailing list on this specific subject.