The Community Partnership

In February 2021 the membership of the Community Partnership took the difficult decision to wind up at the end of March.

Why is the Community Partnership closing?

Since its establishment in 2003, the Community Partnership has provided much-needed support over a period when little support of this nature was available to National Park communities. They have helped to prepare community action plans, supported Community Development Trusts, provided project delivery support, delivered Park-wide projects as well as communications and networking opportunities. Most recently, the Partnership supported the Covid-19 response to communities in and around the National Park.

Over recent years, there have been significant changes to national priorities and policies, the funding landscape and the local operating environment in which we all work – especially the refreshed and urgent focus on the Climate Emergency, nature crisis, and the Scottish Government’s commitment towards a fair and green recovery from Covid-19.

Based on these factors and after considering the recommendations from an independent review commissioned by the National Park Authority, Community Partnership and Countryside Trust (the other charitable organisation supported by the National Park Authority), it was agreed that a single charity would be the best way forward. The Boards of the Community Partnership and the Countryside Trust have therefore negotiated a solution that will see the closure of the Partnership and strengthening of the Countryside Trust to build on its existing work in and for communities supported by the National Park Authority.

Loch Lomond & The Trossachs Countryside Trust

From April 2021 the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs Countryside Trust will take on an increased role that includes improved communications with communities on core topics and closer working with community groups in achieving positive actions to address the climate and biodiversity crises.

The National Park Authority will continue to provide support and funding to the Countryside Trust, who deliver projects that are part-funded through other sources.

All Community Development Trusts and Community Councils in the National Park will be eligible to join the Trust as full members and the Trust will seek to extend their community representation by having a minimum of three community-based Directors out of a total of nine.

Find out more about the work of the Countryside Trust.

Our work to support communities

The National Park Authority will also continue to engage and work with communities.

• Our Communities Team we will be working to further our understanding of local needs and priorities, as well as coordinating support and advice by working closely with teams across the National Park and with local authorities and other organisations who provide more specialist support.
• The National Park Grant Scheme and Tree Planting Grant provides funding opportunities to communities and other groups or organisations within the National Park.
• We will be continuing our programme of ongoing engagement with communities and stakeholders around issues such as visitor management and other projects.
• We will continue to support communities to prepare their own community plans and are currently working with Killin, Strathfillan and Balquhidder, Lochearnhead and Strathyre in this regard.

Find out more about how we can support National Park communities.

Both the National Park Authority and the Countryside Trust will be in contact with community organisations around the National Park to discuss this in more detail over the next few months. For any further information then please contact us.