Case Studies

Greener Kirkcaldy Active Travel exchange visit to Forth Environment Link

Finding out about the operation of e-bike library schemes and active travel projects.

A group of people using a range of e bikes.

We learned a lot about the trackers they use for their bikes (Power Unity Bike Trax modules) which we had hands on experience of how easy they are to fit and how useful the app is for accessing usage data for the e-bikes . This will be invaluable for monitoring and evaluation of our own scheme as well as being able to more accurately plan servicing and repair of the e-bikes in future.

We also had the added benefit of finding out more about FEL’s wider Active Travel Projects, in particular their work is anchored in various secondary schools in the Forth valley area which are bases for a whole range of community engagement, not just active travel.

Of special interest to us was their Bike Buddies, Community Skills Academy and Healthy Minds projects which engage with and support children and families in the communities around each secondary school to have access to active travel opportunities and resources as well as engaging with wider environmental, health and wellbeing opportunities through food, growing, walks, bushcraft and many other outdoor activities. This kind of cross organisation work is a great example and would be a great fit for Greener Kirkcaldy to bring together our Food, Community Engagement, Outdoor and Active Travel work in a more joined up way.

Learning Outcomes

  • Be better positioned to secure funding to expand our own e-bikes for NHS scheme- find out how their e-bike hire management for NHS system works
  • Better understand the materials, knowledge and staffing required to run a larger scheme- find out the costings for running a scheme of similar scale.
  •  Share learning to understand which e-bike systems work well in long term and which to avoid
  • Find out how their e-bike delivery and maintenance processes work and are staffed

"Our main aim was to find out more about the operation and background of their e-bike library scheme. We learned a huge amount, especially the behind-the-scene admin of the various parts of the scheme and how they have found their booking system (Hub Tiger) to be better than the system they previously used (Bike Rental Manager) and which we are also currently using with our own Fife Easy E-Bike subscription scheme. This has helped us make a more informed decision to switch to Hub Tiger for our own purposes following the upcoming end of our current contract with Bike Rental Manager."

Case Studies

Get Growing Scotland Digital Exchange

SCA network to network exchange

A birds eye view of a community garden, with raised beds and polytunnels for food growing,

There are live and urgent opportunities for food security and our future. Community growing groups prefer and choose to secure use and share, not own land. The learning exchange gave an opportunity to discuss these potential policy conflicts and look at the ways planning systems can provide both blockages and pathways for working together.  Increased support for the roll out of the National Planning Framework 4, particularly in relation to Community Owned Land Banks.

Learning Outcomes

  • Capturing and sharing knowledge and experiences, from communities, partners and landowners across Scotland.
  • Help@ service is unique and valuable, saving time, money and aggravation, and helps navigate policy.
  • It also gives insights on other topics and structural, system challenges and opportunities.
  • SCA networks have insights to share, partnerships to develop to make the most of combined knowledge.

"Places and people will not be left behind if there is more awareness, and opportunities to provide earlier and long-term support. Community led food growing, and nature and climate activities, are relatively low-cost and risk, and often kickstart other community led developments. The movement continues to grow."

Case Studies

FEL Scotland Climate Action community group exchange

Sharing climate mitigation and adaptation practices

The banks of the River Goil on a bright day.

This exchange explored how to build and create habitats to replicate in other areas of work. It highlighted the need for adaptation practices such as river revetments along banks to help with bank erosion, including native tree planting and green revetments methods, which has led to an increase in the salmon and trout population over the last few years.

Learning Outcomes

  • Identification of local areas that require assistance with flood management – local flood resilience group able to identify areas that natural flooding techniques could be replicated, especially burn flow coming off the Ochil Hills
  • Identify need for training or assistance in setting up flood management systems in local area, possible funding to help manage this and organisation who are able to help – problem identified by local council about funding natural technique projects. This is where charity organisations such as Forth Rivers Trust come in. Charites should be able to supplement council work
  • Education on nature based solutions for flood management that increases biodiversity – Houses at Pool of Muckhart have had flooding problems for a long time. The FRT project has changes the path of water flow from the hill, slowed it down and created a pond space for it to flow into. this stops the houses from being flooded and creates a microclimate at the bottom of the Ochil Hills. Natural techniques used include: overflow channels, scrapes, living willow leaky dams.

"Continuation of River Goil as well as other locations within the local area require funding and keen volunteers to continue the work!"

Case Studies

A social enterprise member visit to Move On Works

Innovative waste management and upcycling solutions.

A Move On Wood Recycling sales tag attached to a rounded wooden candle holder on a wooden shelf.

Move On Works offer a waste wood collection service across Edinburgh and the Lothians, collecting from small businesses and residential properties, right up to large construction sites on behalf of national and multinational building companies. The wood collected is taken to the workshop to be cleaned up and sorted to be sold as timber, or upcycled into quality furniture. They also use reclaimed timber to build, supply and fit larger scale projects for residential, commercial, and third sector projects.

The Community Learning Exchange deepened participants appreciation for the role of social enterprises in building resilient, sustainable, and thriving communities.  It brought together community activists, academics, practitioners and professionals to coalesce around making Granton a thriving place where people want to come live, work and be engaged members of their community.

Learning Outcomes

  • Learn about the role of social enterprises in community regeneration.
  • Understand sustainable business practices.
  • Explore innovative waste management and upcycling solutions through Move On Works’ waste wood collection and transformation services, promoting environmental sustainability and skills development.

"The hands-on experience at Move On was incredibly inspiring. Their upcycling model, which transforms waste wood into quality furniture and construction materials, highlighted how circular economy practices can generate employment opportunities and reduce environmental impact. The visit reinforced my understanding of how waste management can evolve into a profitable, skills-driven initiative that benefits both people and the planet."

Case Studies

G3 Growers and Glasgow Community Food Network exchange

G3 Growers mission to cultivate a community of gardeners who come together to share and learn from each other.

A group of adults and children chatting inside a polytunnel.

Glasgow Community Food Network brings together practitioners and organisations in the private, public and 3rd sector to develop a flourishing food system in Glasgow. The exchange allowed the exploration of their approach for the benefit of local food growing networks and climate.

Learning Outcomes

  • Sharing food growing techniques
  • Gardening foundations targeted for new members around seasonality and soil
  • How to make the most of produce, fermentation, pickling and cooking with food waste.

"The exchange gave us a chance to learn about food growing techniques with local community gardens and an opportunity to learn from others to discover new methods of growing food. It was great to work together with people from the community and share ideas about how to grow and cook nutritious, healthy food."

Case Studies

Green Hive Nairn exchange visit on sustainable fashion

Zero waste fashion solutions!

People watching a fashion show with models lined up on a flight of stairs.

The exchange supported shared urban and rural approaches to recycled fabric projects.

Learning Outcomes

  • Learning from others about their journey in creating sustainable enterprises
  • Which products and services can be factored into social enterprise business planning to support a move towards zero waste
  • A more cohesive group of volunteers with a shared vision on a future waste marketing strategy for growth out with Nairn
  • A space of inspiration to see what can be achieved through increased connections.

"The exchange meant 4 volunteers and 2 staff were able to learn first hand the work that goes into developing sustainable fashion and build new connections with sustainable designers. Our volunteers left Edinburgh filed with ideas, future projects and fully inspired for the next chapter of fabrics at Green Hive."

Case Studies

Inter network community energy exchange

Exploring innovative practices in hydrogen and smart grids!

A banner tried to a fence with the town of Stromness depicted in children's drawings.

Learning from Trusts at a similar stage – Point and Sandwick, Urras, Oighreachd Ghabhsainn, Barra and Vatersay Community Ltd.

Learning Outcomes

  • Connections with the Trusts
  • Gaining knowledge about community income distribution and the challenges associated with this
  • Meeting charity regulations and ensuring current processes are in place.

"We couldn't praise this fund enough - it really does bring people together and help groups have the confidence to overcome whatever issues they may be facing"

Case Studies

Sustainable Kirriemuir visit to Lauriston Farm

Food growing, biodiversity, community – how does this work in practice at Lauriston farm?

A small group of people standing on a grassy hill with their backs to the camera and a view of the sea in the distance.

Spent time learning how both organisations are increasing access to fresh affordable food through the Market Garden and other enterprises on the farm(s) and how they aim to support these projects financially moving forward.

Learning Outcomes

  • Look at different governance models such as cooperatives, CIC etc
  • Food Growing, Biodiversity, Community – how does this work in practice at Lauriston?  Land-based enterprises and Community, how does this work in practice? Mixing income generation with volunteering.Gather Market Garden (Lauriston) – A Community Supported Agriculture Scheme –  a quick intro into the structure, inputs, outputs and equitable access scheme
  • Funding & long-term sustainability
  • Mushroom Farming – an introduction!
  • Infrastructure, inputs, outputs, costs, benefits.

“We wanted to get inspiration, meet other people, visit their sites and hear what works and what doesn't. We wanted to learn from others in order to explore different working models for setting up our community farm and we did!”

Case Studies

Composting for Lochaber Environmental Group

To explore the composting support MICT has provided across Mull.

Large compost machine

To gain hands on experience with various composting systems, both powered and manual. Seeing these systems in action, and examining the compost produced, allowed for deeper learning on suitable solutions suitable to the area.

Learning Outcomes

  • To learn about a range of different composting vessels that have been used by MICT
  • How to support local compost initiatives
  • Information about what type of composters can be used in different situations.

“It was inspiring to see the amount and range of work that had been achieved in setting up the composting scheme in Mull. I really hope we can apply some of this to our community in Knoydart. I’m really grateful to Lesley for organising this learning exchange. The exchange was really successful.”

Case Studies

Churches Action for the Homeless at R:evolve

The operation very much relies on volunteers, the exchange helped explore opportunities and ways new premises could support their involvement.

a person in front a shelves with a range of items from glassware, vases and

To gain a broader understanding of the history and ethos of R:evolve enterprise and its links with the community.

Learning Outcomes

  • How links are forged with the community that go beyond financial gain to open up opportunities, connections knowledge and goodwill
  • Making best use of social media and how increase capacity around this
  • Ideas for displays in our projects and ideas for potential funders.

"At CATH we have a very strong volunteer involvement, but this could be increased and improved upon. We are looking at new premises which would see more of our projects being together under one roof and this visit really demonstrated the advantages of this and some ideas about the layout.”