Rural and island communities will have a chance to have their
voices heard in local and national decision-making as a result of
Scottish Government funding.
Around £80,000 will help to deliver the next Scottish Rural and
Islands Parliament – a grassroots democratic assembly – which
will take place in the autumn.
The Scottish Government has supported voluntary organisation
Scottish Rural Action (SRA) to set up four Scottish Rural
Parliaments since 2014. The event is supported by a partnership
of over 40 organisations, coordinated by SRA and the Scottish
Islands Federation, and more than 400 people have taken part in
each event.
The outcomes of discussions from the next Parliament will be
presented to the Scottish Government, and will be considered as
part of work to develop the Rural Delivery Plan and review the
National Islands Plan. They will also be showcased at the
European Rural Parliament in September
2024, maintaining Scotland’s deep connection with institutions,
networks and organisations in Europe.
Speaking at the Nevis Centre in Fort William, where the Rural and
Islands Parliament will be convened, First Minister said:
“When I became First Minister, I promised to lead Scotland in the
interests of all of our people – and to listen and work with
anyone and everyone who shares my vision of a fairer Scotland.
“I believe, therefore, that is It is vital that rural and island
communities and businesses have a say in decisions that affect
them. The Scottish Rural and Islands Parliament – the only rural
parliament in the UK – provides an important opportunity for
people who work and live in these areas to have their voices
heard.
“The discussions and views aired will help to inform Scottish
Government policy-making. Indeed, discussions at previous Rural
Parliaments helped to shape the concept of 20-minute
neighbourhoods within the National Planning Framework.
“The most recent Scottish Rural Parliament in 2021 hosted a
democratic assembly of over 600 participants from across rural
Scotland. I would encourage anyone with an interest to sign up
for this year’s event and to make what I am sure will be very
valuable contributions to the discussions on the future of
Scotland’s rural and island communities.”
Chair of Scottish Rural Action Theona Morrison said:
“Rural and island places make up 98% of our country’s landmass.
They are the locus of our natural assets, of our capacity to
produce food and generate energy, and of a rich, enterprising,
cultural and linguistic tapestry. We have an opportunity now to
shine a light on the solutions that rural and islands communities
offer to global challenges, including climate change.
“We look forward to sharing these solutions with the First
Minister after the November event, and to working with the
Scottish Government to build the resilience and sustainability of
our rural and island places from the Borders and Lothians, to
Shetland; and to make these solutions a
reality.”
Background
The Scottish Rural Parliament is a member of the European-wide network of Rural
Parliaments. Each event is hosted by a different rural
community - Oban in 2014, Brechin in 2016, Stranraer in 2018 and
virtually in 2021. The programme is shaped by a wide range of
rural and island organisations.
The Scottish Government has, since 2014, awarded over £900,000 to
SRA to support the Rural Parliament and develop a grass-roots
rural movement that connects Scotland’s rural communities with
each other and with politicians and decision-makers.
Discussions held at the previous four Rural Parliaments led to:
- free bus travel in rural areas for young apprentices
- reports that informed policy on housing and broadband
- the establishment of a Rural Equality Network for rural youth
and lesser heard voices
The Rural and Islands Parliament will be an in-person gathering
hosted by the Nevis Centre on 1-3 November 2023.
