Community Transport is all about community solutions to unmet transport needs. Local charities, community groups and social enterprises across Scotland have stepped up to deliver accessible, affordable and sustainable transport services which plug gaps in our transport system.

From buses in Glasgow and dial-a-ride in Orkney to car clubs in Ayrshire and patient transport in the Borders, Community Transport serves all kinds of communities, from our biggest cities to our most remote villages, and every part of society, from older people and disabled people to children and young people. Community Transport utilises all kinds of modes, from coaches, buses and minibuses to bikes, cars and MPVs, and enables all kinds of journeys, from commuting to work and attending healthcare appointments to visiting family and friends.

Read the Community Transport Movement Manifesto here.

DTAS launched their Manifesto based around five pillars for change.

The full manifesto sets out practical, systemic reforms and actions that can be embraced by any political party or government committed to stronger communities and a healthy and wealthy Scotland.

Read the full Manifesto here – DTAS Manifesto

The Scottish Community Coalition on Energy has published its manifesto recommendations for political parties in the run up to the 2026 Scottish Parliament elections.

Energy is a hot topic just now. From fuel poverty to net zero, and from energy pricing to local opposition to pylons, it’s consistently in the news and on the agenda in Government and Parliament.

Although many of the powers to make change are reserved at UK level, there are some key policies that the Scottish Government could implement that would be transformative for communities in Scotland. Read the Coalition’s 3-page manifesto to find out more.

Social Enterprise Scotland are pleased to launch Building Wealth, Building Community: A Manifesto For Scotland’s Future Economy which sets out a clear series of practical, affordable and urgent policy proposals that will drive economic growth, tackle poverty and build stronger, moreresilient local communities.

Funded by the Scottish Government and facilitated by Inspiring Scotland, the Creative Communities Scotland fund will support grassroots community-led organisations across Scotland to develop and deliver projects that harness the power of creativity in supporting the wellbeing of people and communities.  

The fund is open to all hands-on, participatory art forms including dance, filmmaking, creative writing, music making, and storytelling.  

In line with the Scottish Government’s Culture Strategy, the fund is also focused on supporting communities who face barriers to engaging with creative activities because of social, economic, cultural, physical or other challenges.  

The Creative Communities Scotland Fund will run from January 2026 to December 2026, and charities will be able to apply for up to £35,000 of grant funding.

The deadline to apply is noon on Thursday 18 September 2025.

More information can be found at Creative Communities Scotland – Inspiring Scotland.

Throughout Scotland, the community sector is critical to addressing today’s challenges by delivering essential services that build stronger communities. Too often they operate in circumstances that are under resourced and overly bureaucratic – distant from decision making structures that impact their ability to deliver vital public service reform.

We call for:

• a modern and responsive system of local democracy built to meet today’s needs
• local democratic structures to recognise, and include the lived experience and expertise in our communities
• new forms of local democracy to be consolidated through legislation
• sustained investment in community organisations and intermediaries through secure, long-term funding

Download the full 2025/26 Manifesto and read our Vision for Scotland and Manifesto for Action for more detail on our vision for a sustainable Scotland.

The Discussion Paper is the next step in the development of the proposed Bill. It is intended to support everyone with an interest in the Bill to have more informed discussions.

The paper sets out Scottish Government’s current policy proposals and consolidates work to date. Its proposals build on the 2023 public consultation, as well as the extensive engagement over a number of years with rights-holders, civil society, and public bodies. The paper reflects the progress made as well as the challenges encountered in developing legislation to incorporate further human rights treaties into Scots law.

The Discussion Paper and Easy Read version can be found in the below links:

• A Human Rights Bill for Scotland: Discussion Paper https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781836916031
• A Human Rights Bill for Scotland: Easy Read version https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781836917601

The Social Justice and Social Security Committee is seeking views on a Bill which will promote consideration by public bodies of sustainable development and the wellbeing of future generations.

Responses to this call for views will help to inform the Committee’s scrutiny of the Bill, including the selection of witnesses to be invited to give oral evidence on the Bill.

More information is availabel from the link below:

Wellbeing and Sustainable Development (Scotland) Bill – Scottish Parliament – Citizen Space

The closing date for responses is 24^th August.

This paper presents the Scottish Food Coalition’s six manifesto asks for the 2026 Scottish Election and relate directly to the outcomes of the new National Good Food Nation Plan as laid before Parliament on 30 June 2025. Each ask is underpinned by robust research and evidence which is referenced at the end of the document.

The Public Service Reform Strategy sets out Scottish Government commitments to change the system of public services – to be preventative, to better join up and to be efficient – in order to better deliver for people. It sets out how to tackle systemic barriers to change.

More than 80 actions are set out to drive change and make Scotland’s public services fit for the future.

Read more on the Scottish Government Website at Scotland’s Public Service Reform Strategy: Delivering for Scotland – gov.scot