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Working with communities - our commitment

Banner for Working with Communities section showing FC Scotland staff with community groups and an example of affordable housing

Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) recognises that working with communities is a good way to deliver woodland benefits, strengthen communities, and encourage active citizenship.  We want to work with the full range of communities and stakeholders in ways that help deliver shared objectives.

Principles

We are committed to ensuring that our community engagement:

  • makes a difference
  • is open and transparent
  • is suited to the circumstances
  • treats participants with respect
  • keeps participants informed
  • gets better through review and evaluation
  • engages the full diversity of the population.

Working with communities - a visual representation

The image below outlines the breadth and depth of our work with communities - further details are provided below the diagram.

Diagram showing the various ways Forestry Commission Scotland can work with communities

See a larger version of the working with communities diagram

Informing and consulting

  • We will provide up to date information on the national forests
  • We will be a good neighbour and responsible land manager
  • We will seek views from the full diversity of peoplein the communities we serve.

Involving people

  • We welcome and encourage involvement of local communities and underrepresented groups
  • We offer a range of ways in which people can get involved.

Working in partnership

  • Where possible we will work in partnership with community woodland groups in the management of local woods.

Encouraging community management and ownership

Leasing: We are currently seeking powers, under the Public Services Reform Bill, to broaden the range of activites which communities can undertake through a lease agreement with us.

Supporting delivery

We will:

  • Train and support our own staff to continually improve our ability to work with others
  • Facilitate community-based projects through Scottish Rural Development Programme grants
  • Offer community agreements to support our partnership working
  • Work as partners on community-based projects and initiatives
  • Use the National Forest Land Scheme for community acquisition of forest land
  • Encourage private woodland owners to involve local communities in their woods.

For details of the range of opportunities for communities to get involved see the other pages in this section or contact your local Forestry Commission Scotland office.