Community Engagement
The first Land Rights and Responsibilities Protocol, ‘Community Engagement in Decisions Relating to Land,’ sets out practical advice on how landowners, land managers and communities can work together to make better – and fairer – decisions about land use.
The Protocol supports the Guidance on Engaging Communities in decisions relating to land, which was published by the Scottish Government.
We have also created a range of tools to support land owners in engaging with communities including a route map detailing engagement methods and what is expected of land owners and managers in different situations and a practice guide to engagement plans to support the community engagement process.
Good Practice Community Engagement Surveys
Responsible management of land for natural capital is essential for a just transition.
In 2019, the Scottish Land Commission carried out two surveys one of landowners and managers - and one of community organisations and individuals - in order to establish a baseline measurement of involvement in and experiences of community engagement activities carried out by landowners.
The results of the first surveys gave us some figures from which progress can be measured. In 2022, we carried out two further surveys to understand what progress has been made in the last few years, and what additional support, guidance or changes might be required to encourage and enable more effective engagement in relation to land use decisions.
We have published a report on the results of the surveys which can be read here.
Watch our webinar on Community Engagement and Transparency of Ownership and Land Use Decision-Making
