Putting communities in the spotlight 
Influencing decisions
Whether your group is set up to address particular issues or wider community priorities more generally, it is likely that at some point you will want to influence decisions that affect your community.
This section contains resources that will enable you to better influence decisions at a range of levels.
Title |
Summary |
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Axis of Infuence |
The Axis of Influence is a resource aimed at community groups and networks who want to expand their influence on other practitioners and agencies |
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Achieving Community Empowerment (ACE) |
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Campaigning and Lobbying |
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Civic Activism |
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Community Development Alliance Scotland (CDAS) |
If you know what is going on at a policy level and how your group fits into this, you will find it easier to make your case when influencing decisions. In our experience there is no better source of concise, relevant policy coverage than that of CDAS. You might want to consider signing up for the CDAS monthly bulletin. |
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Engaging and Influencing Decision-Makers |
Quite jargony, but comprehensive, guide to engaging with and influencing decision makers.
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Find your MP |
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Find your MSP |
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Planning Aid for Scotland |
Planning Aid Scotland (PAS), and the resources it offers, can help your group get involved in shaping the development of land, villages, towns and cities by engaging more easily with the planning system. |
More |
The Poverty Alliance |
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They Work For You |
Find out how your elected representative has been voting and read statements they have made. |
More |
Write to Them |
As with the Find your MSP and Find your MP websites above, Write to Them allows you to identify your local elected representatives. |
More |
Throughout its ACE programme, SCDC has been working with around 10 groups per year to support them to assess the motivations and capacities of their own organisation, and those they seek to influence or work with.
NCVO has a section on its website on campaigning, with links to further resources.
An online toolkit from Northern Ireland with useful introductions to a range of methods for getting local people more involved in decision making..jpg "CDAS logo")
Find your MP and learn more about MPs, including details of their parliamentary career and contact information.
The Scottish Parliament website allows you to enter your postcode to find your local MSP.
The Poverty Alliance works alongside people experiencing poverty to influence policies at local and national level that will have an impact on poverty.
