Since 2022, the Scottish Community Development Network (SCDN) and Fife Voluntary Action (FVA) have been working in partnership with Fife Council to support and grow a local network for community development workers. This work has helped bring together people from across the public, voluntary, and community sectors to share ideas, build skills, and shape the future of community development in Fife.

The network is open to anyone involved in community development, whether paid or voluntary, and is based on the belief that real change happens when communities are supported to identify their own needs, take action, and reflect on what works.

Over the past year, four events were delivered through this partnership:

• In April 2024, a local event in Glenrothes brought together 20 participants to explore the question “What does community development mean to you?” The session helped shape future events based on what participants said mattered most.
• The largest event took place in September 2024, with around 40 people attending. Speakers from SCDN and local services shared examples of good practice, followed by group discussions and a networking lunch. Ideas were captured on a shared Miro board to inform future planning.
• A mini event in February 2025 focused on sharing best practice and identifying what support people need from the network going forward.
• Fife Council also played a key role in delivering the national SCDN conference in Glasgow in October 2024, which brought together community development workers from across Scotland to explore creative practice and democracy.

This work has helped build a clearer picture of what community development teams in Fife need, while also connecting them with third sector colleagues and encouraging more collaboration.

This work supports the Plan for Fife by:

• Involving communities in local decision-making – by supporting those who work directly with communities to build skills and confidence
• Strengthening public service collaboration – through joint working between CLD, FVA, and national partners
• Building community wealth – by supporting grassroots action and leadership

Planning is already underway for the next year of events, shaped by feedback from participants. The aim is to continue supporting those working in and with communities, helping them share learning, build partnerships, and strengthen local action across Fife.