EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - Evaluation of the effective engagement of communities in regeneration

Evaluation of the effective engagement of communities in regeneration – Final baseline report

Introduction

The report assess the current position of community engagement activity in Scotland, and scopes some of the option for measuring activity in the future.

Description

Research report on community engagement gathering and analysing information on the National Standards for Community Engagement and community engagement activity in Regeneration Outcome Agreements (ROAs), and identifying practical examples of how community engagement is being tackled in regeneration, including the role of communities in influencing decisions. Also includes mini case studies.

Background information

There was a lack of credible evidence that demonstrates that Scotland effectively engages with communities in regeneration and whether community engagement targets are being met.

Methodology

32 Regeneration Outcome Agreements were analysed;
ROA annual reports from community planning partnerships were reviewed;
seven community planning areas for detailed investigation were identified;
officers from a range of partners were interviewed;
focus groups of community activities in the seven areas were held;
staff from organisations with a national perspective on community engagement were interviewed;
a half day seminar drawn from community members and officers was held which focussed particularly on the measurement of effective community engagement in regeneration.

Conclusions

There’s a lot of activity in engaging communities, but little evidence of a transfer in power from agencies to communities in decision making; it’s unclear whether a lasting change in effective engagement of communities has been effected.

Other findings encompassed:

engagement needs to be fit for purpose;
equalities issues;
monitoring and evaluation is patchy;
progress has been made in community planning.

Future considerations include:

developing good practice;
ensuring that activity and processes relating to community engagement are having a real impact on people’s lives as a result of improvements in the planning and delivery of local public services.

Contact info

Scottish Centre for Regeneration
scr@communitiesscotland.gsi.gov.uk

Publication date

Project finished

//2006

Researcher

Consultancy ODS Consulting

Links

Visit the Scottish Centre for Regeneration website

Download the 'Evaluation of the effective engagement of communities in regeneration' Report (PDF, Eng, 322 KB)

Document type

research

Themes

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration > Community development

Keywords

Citizens' participation