Strengthening Communities Conference - May 2019

19th March 2019

The Strengthening Communities Conference Scotland brings together people who are at the heart of community-led development. We held the inaugural event in September 2017 and are pleased to be hosting a second conference on the 27th and 28th May 2019 at the MacDonald Aviemore Resort.

About the conference
We're building on our previous conference, which celebrated the people and stories behind 20 years of community asset ownership in Scotland. We've designed this year's agenda according to your feedback.

It will be a a fantastic opportunity for community groups from urban and rural Scotland, public agencies and policy makers to discuss plans and ideas.

There'll be more time to learn from each other, and share experiences on the issues that matter to you. We're planning a bigger marketplace where you can get the latest advice and support.

Hot topics you've identified include: approaches to community development; owning community assets; delivering community services; financing, sustainability and growth; culture and heritage.

Register Now
Registrations are limited to two places per organisation.

Description
Join practised community development leaders from home and abroad in this exciting two-day international conference sharing experiences, skills, ideas and knowledge.

Designed by communities, for communities, the event spotlights relevant topics important to organisations like yours, united by the theme 'Ionnsachaidh a ‘tighinn le deasbad' — learning and growing together.

Join the debate - let local and global perspectives empower your community
This is your opportunity to hear from expert speakers on key areas including assets, income, finance, succession, service provision and sustainability.

And importantly, you'll tackle these topics in working groups - where you can discuss how to get the best results in community-led development with a wide variety of people working at all stages of community project development.

We're expecting 250 delegates from a wide variety of groups to join the two-day event. In addition, you'll have access to a vibrant, informative marketplace of up to 60 organisations and partners where you can get the latest help and advice from community support organisations, public agencies, and subject experts.

A diverse programme to stimulate ideas and action
We're delighted to be joined by Alex Thomson, chief correspondent of Channel 4 news. He'll guide us through a varied programme of speakers, open forums, exhibitors and opportunities for networking and informal meetings. As well as a conference dinner, there's a variety of entertaining fringe events.

Our final speaking line-up will be announced soon. Speakers already confirmed include:

Sarah Skerrett, author of Recharging Rural
Rob Snyder and Suzanne MacDonald of Maine’s Island Institute
Brian Swinbanks from Tobermory Harbour
Irene Warner-MacIntosh from the Mhor Collective
Mike Staples from Dumfries and Galloway Small Communities Housing Trust
Neil Ferguson from Electric A9

Sign up today - give your community the advantage!

Please register now to secure your place. Because we anticipate high demand, tickets will be limited to TWO persons per organisation. Let us know if you wish to book a conference dinner place.

Conference rate accommodation is available at the MacDonald Aviemore Resort. We’ll send you a code after you register.

If you're interested in exhibiting in the marketplace, please get in touch at SCCS19@hient.co.uk.

Mon, 27 May 2019, 10:30 - Tue, 28 May 2019, 14:00 BST

#SCCS19 is being run by Highlands and Islands Enterprise, with support from the South of Scotland Enterprise Partnership, the Scottish Government, and Scottish Enterprise. The conference dinner is supported by Cairngorms National Park Authority.

Register HERE