Methodology
Approach
The review is an implementation and process evaluation, which looks at what is happening, as well as how and why.
We wanted to design creative, equitable and ethical research, especially with organisations, representatives and individuals from rural and island communities.
We noted the different natures of Community Led Local Development (CLLD), Scottish Rural Action (SRA) and Scottish Rural Network (SRN), as programmes, projects and organisations.
We created a four-stage approach to delivering the project aims; the four stages are explained in separate pages. These look at (1) Theory of Change, (2) Evidence Review (3) Fieldwork and (4) Sharing Learning.
Research Questions
The review will address the following research questions:
How have CLLD, SRA and SRN delivered against their original aims since 2021-22 (CLLD, SRN) and 2020-21 (SRA)?
What are the specific roles of CLLD, SRA and SRN and how have they operated in order to deliver these aims? What types of groups or organisations have benefited from them? What impacts have been identified? What data gaps exist in identifying these impacts?
How do the programmes fit strategically with relevant wider public and third sector interventions? Are there any gaps or areas of duplication? If so, why and how do these gaps or areas of duplication exist, and what has been the impact of them?
What do key stakeholders, those working more widely in the sector, and rural and island communities, see as the main challenges and opportunities of delivering these programmes up until now, in the present context, and potentially in the future?
What can we learn from relevant UK and international case studies?
Who are likely to be the main beneficiaries of rural community support in future and how can the impacts of that support best be measured? Are there any groups that may benefit from greater targeting or more focused support in future? How can they best be targeted?
Based on the findings of this review, what recommendations can be made to inform the delivery of rural development support in future (this will include, but not be limited to, options for the future role/focus/delivery of CLLD, SRA and SRN)?
