Further funding as COTE gains recognition.
The Communities on the Edge Project, operating in three communities ‘on the edge’ of large private landowning estates in South Lanarkshire, Dumfries and Galloway and Scottish Borders is set to benefit from continued investment from The Carnegie UK Trust. A pledge of £100,000 will keep three full time equivalent ‘community animators’ active in the three communities, helping and supporting local people to create positive change in their places.
‘A huge amount of work has gone in over the past year’, said John Gold, Project Coordinator. ‘As well as the obvious things which have been achieved, such as the fabulous producer’s market in Langholm, there’s a whole lot of relationship building which has taken place and this new investment will let us build on that. This is when it could get really exciting and I’m confident that in the near future we’ll be seeing big things happen in the communities we’re working with’
Current projects include a successful monthly produce market in Langholm, a local women’s group in Douglas who are currently developing plans to regenerate local play facilities and a growing group/ allotment project in Langholm. In Yetholm, discussions are taking place around how to effectively address the need for local sports facility provision and in Douglas there are exciting discussions taking place around how to regenerate a Brownfield site in the centre of the village.
‘It’s still early days with many of the projects. There’s often a perception that we’re here to do things for people, and that’s not the case at all. We’re here to help people to help themselves and to do that we need people! Local buy in is essential. If the passion for a project isn’t there, then ultimately it will fail. This is about working with people on their priorities- that’s where you find the passion essential to drive things forward’
The bigger, longer term aim of the project is to create sustainable rural businesses and jobs which are in harmony with local wishes and within environmental carrying capacities. Sustainability has to be built in form the start though, and that means taking a look at things through a long term lens. ‘Take the Women’s Group in Douglas. They want to apply for funding to install some new play equipment. It’s a worthwhile project, and the outcome will benefit the area hugely. But it won’t change the world. However, what we’re doing is about the process just as much as the product. The women we’re working with are new to this; it’s a huge undertaking for them. In the face of funding applications and having to deal with the local authority, it would be understandable if they gave up. That’s where we can help though. We can support them to tackle these issues head on. And in developing this project, they’ll be gaining the skills and knowledge, and most importantly the confidence to tackle something bigger next time! The kind of social enterprises which will give us the jobs and rural businesses we’re talking about need to be nurtured’
The COTE Project is part of a bigger UK-wide agenda. The Carnegie UK Trust has invested in it as part of their ‘Rural Action Research Programme’. Their recent ‘Charter for Rural Communities’ was met warmly by many in the rural community and this work will contribute to that ongoing work. ‘This is about influencing policy makers, demonstrating practically what can be achieved in partnership with landowning estates and learning from it all as we go. We have a unique story to tell about COTE, and to have that story heard on a national and worldwide stage is an incredible opportunity’. ‘The project isn’t revolutionary either’ stated John. ‘It’s firmly rooted in the traditional values of honesty, trust and openness. These are the things which I think are critical to the project’s success. We’ve quickly realised that it’s not just about what you’re doing, but how you’re doing it. Maintaining open and regular discussion with the wider community about any project which we’re involved in let’s people know that their opinions are valued and needed. That way, they’re far more likely to support the project’.
There have been failures along the way too. ‘It’s not all been a success story’ said Sarah Peters, Project Coordinator, ‘But so long as we learn from the mistakes and apply that learning to other projects, we’re hopeful that we can help local people to effectively address not only some of the issues which affect them today, but the ones which will affect them tomorrow too. ‘These are exciting times to be doing what we’re doing in our own places. Carnegie’s financial support will enable us not only to continue to do it, but to do it effectively’.
For further information about any of the projects outlined above, or the COTE project in general, please contact John Gold on 07747447719, or email johngold@sup.org.uk