“Connection,” “Shared Experience,” and “Curiosity” were just a few of the key words that emerged from our Gathering of community groups in Shetland in September. See the link below for our summary report.
These community groups are members of Expert Communities of Practice (ECoP), a key component of the Rural Energy Hub Project (REH) – a Shetland and Orkney place-based pilot project funded by Innovate UK.
Orkney and Shetland, like many rural and island communities, face common challenges like centralised models and a lack of integrated, seamless travel options which act as barriers to accessing essential services.
Our trip to Shetland focused on visiting and learning from active community groups in Shetland who are playing a pivotal role in decarbonising the transport sector, but more important, connecting communities.
During the September Gathering, the ECoP members visited Bigton Collective to see the newly constructed accessible active travel path, followed by the refurbished Brae Rural Energy Hub which will offer a warm community space for Brae residents along with a range of e-bikes for cycling to beautiful tracks in Muckle Roe. We were also welcomed by Whalsay Kirk Development Company who have recently acquired four new e-bikes to encourage alternatives to single-car use and address the lack of public transport in Whalsay. Each project, shaped by its unique location and local culture, shared common goals and offered valuable lessons for all involved.
Through their work, these community groups are investigating the barriers to sustainable travel and developing recommendations to create more opportunities for and access to the activities they offer. They all share one thing in common: they bring bottom-up solutions that provide social and economic sustainability within their communities. While many are working at full capacity, the Expert Communities of Practice (ECoP) (see report p.2) has provided a platform for community leaders (not just Community Development Officers) to share tips and experiences, so they don’t have to ‘reinvent the wheel’.
The focus on community transport has been at the core of our discussions, but as many community groups take on responsibilities across various sectors, it has also been a great opportunity to engage in informal discussions about other areas, from local growing and kirk refurbishment to social activities.
Although this was our fourth and final in-person gathering, the REH project seeks to replicate the key lessons learned from the ECoP so that community groups across Scotland can adopt best practices for overcoming barriers faced within marginalised communities. These communities often encounter non-technical challenges when implementing new technologies and approaches – challenges that tend to be less prevalent in urban areas, where demand and policy frameworks are typically more supportive.
Take a look at the summary report for a glimpse into what an ECoP gathering looks like in action, emphasising learning by doing, with the support of your neighbouring community leaders.
Images credit: Ben Mullay Photography
