During 2025/26, Community Capacity Building (CCB) activity across Fife continued to support communities to play a greater role in shaping local services, influencing decisions and delivering projects that matter to them. Through support for community organisations, volunteering, participatory budgeting, community-led planning, food initiatives and engagement activity, communities were empowered to identify local priorities and take action to improve outcomes in their areas.

Working alongside community groups, voluntary organisations, local partnerships and residents, Community Learning and Development staff provided ongoing support to strengthen community capacity and resilience. This included supporting the development and review of community action plans, creating volunteering opportunities, encouraging community participation and helping local organisations access networks, resources and funding opportunities.

A key area of activity during the year was participatory budgeting, providing residents with direct influence over how funding is invested within their communities. In Kirkcaldy, more than 5,000 votes were cast through online and in-person voting opportunities, supporting over 30 community-led projects. The process was shaped by an inclusive steering group representing a diverse range of community voices, ensuring that residents helped design the themes, criteria and voting arrangements. This approach strengthened local ownership and ensured funding decisions reflected community priorities.

Participatory budgeting also delivered significant outcomes for young people in Glenrothes. Through engagement across all area high schools, young people identified priorities under the themes of Feeling Safer, Enhancing our Community and Health and Wellbeing. As a result, 38 projects are now being progressed, with young people working directly with council services and partner organisations to help shape delivery. This includes collaboration with Greenspace and Grounds Maintenance on the Transforming Fife's Greenspace Initiative and engagement with Safer Communities on local road safety activity.

Supporting volunteering remained a central element of community capacity building. Throughout the year, volunteers reported feeling valued, connected to their communities and able to influence projects and activities. Many highlighted the positive impact volunteering had on their wellbeing, providing structure, purpose and opportunities to give something back to their local area. In total, 173 volunteers contributed 13,378 hours to Community Learning and Development activities, helping to strengthen services, support local projects and build community resilience.

Community food initiatives also continued to support learning, participation and local capacity building. Through a range of learning opportunities, community food providers developed skills and knowledge that strengthened local food networks. During the year, 79 people achieved food hygiene certificates, 39 Food Champions were trained and 30 cooking skills programmes were completed. The Feeding Fifers Facebook page further supported this work by sharing personal stories, training opportunities, volunteering opportunities, food tips and funding information, helping to connect people and promote community-led activity across Fife.

Digital engagement also expanded through the continued development of the Citizen Space platform. In its first year of operation, more than 40 consultations were hosted, generating 12,699 views and 9,394 engagements. The platform has provided communities with additional opportunities to contribute to decision making, share views and influence local and strategic developments, helping to ensure that community voices are heard and acted upon.

The scale of engagement achieved through Community Capacity Building activity reflects the strength of community participation across Fife. During 2025/26, Community Learning and Development staff provided regular support to 224 voluntary organisations, while 3,247 people engaged through one-off events and activities. These interactions have helped build stronger connections between communities, organisations and public services, supporting local people to take an active role in shaping the places where they live.

This work supports the Plan for Fife priority of Tackling Poverty and Preventing Crisis and contributes to ambitions around reducing poverty, improving educational outcomes, increasing access to cultural and leisure opportunities and strengthening community involvement in local decision making. By supporting communities to develop their own solutions, build skills and influence investment decisions, Community Capacity Building activity is helping to create stronger, more resilient and empowered communities across Fife.

Looking ahead, Community Capacity Building activity will continue to focus on strengthening community voice, supporting local leadership and creating opportunities for communities to influence decisions and deliver positive change. By building on strong partnerships, local knowledge and community participation, this work will continue to help communities across Fife thrive and shape their own futures.