The Scottish Government focusses on four key areas of importance to rural communities:
- A strong and diverse rural economy, harnessing traditional strengths and with an appetite for change
- Thriving rural communities where everyone can enjoy a decent quality of life, where the young are not forced to leave their communities to get on and where the vulnerable are no longer excluded
- Strong, community focused public services that are accessible, of the highest possible quality and with the greatest possible choice
- A rural Scotland whose natural and cultural heritage flourishes in all its diversity
The work of the Scottish Government includes transport, culture, education, health and considers:
- the impact of all policies on rural areas
- how rural issues should be reflected in policy development and
- how information on rural policy should be shared with external organisations
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) was invited by the Scottish Government to conduct a review of rural policy in Scotland in 2006. The review was undertaken in 2007 with a review panel visiting Scotland twice. OECD published its review, OECD Rural Policy Reviews: Scotland, UK, into rural policy in Scotland, highlighting a number of key areas which the current Scottish Government is already addressing.
If your community wants to refurbish your village hall, develop new local services or come up with a long-term plan for community development, then the new Rural Direct service run by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations and the Crofters Commission can help you make the most of the funding programmes that are out there.
We also support our rural communities in a number of different ways. For example we ensure an appropriate evidence base through an effective Rural Research Programme, sponsor an online rural community - the Rural Community Gateway Website (RCGW) and support the effective introduction and delivery of a new Scottish Rural Development Programme for 2007-2013.