The 13th OECD Rural Development Conference was held in Cavan, Ireland on 28-30 September 2022 under the theme "Building Sustainable, Resilient and Thriving Rural Places". These are the presentations from the Pre-conference session "Social Inclusion in Rural Communities: Bringing Communities Together". For more information visit https://www.oecd.org/rural/rural-development-conference/.

1. OECD Rural Development Conference
Building Sustainable, Resilient and Thriving Rural Places
Social Inclusion in Rural Communities:
Bringing Communities Together
Calum Iain MacIomhair / Calum Iain MacIver
Iar-Àrd-oifigear / Depute Chief Executive
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar / Western Isles Council

2. Na h-Eileanan Siar
The Outer Hebrides

3. • 130 mile long island chain
• population c. 27,000
• population decline
• demographic challenges
• fragile economy (GDP 75%)
• high costs of living
• significant fuel poverty
• industries – fishing, textiles, food
& drink, tourism, life sciences
• rich renewable energy resource
• high quality natural environment
• unique culture and heritage
• community ownership / wealth
• connectivity challenges
• grid, digital and transport
Na h-Eileanan Siar
The Outer Hebrides

4. Community Land and Community Energy
Urras Oighreachd Gabhsainn
Tolstadh bho Thuath
Beinn Ghrideag
Horshader
Ceann a Tuath na Hearadh
Stόras Uibhist
Coimhearsnachd Bharraidh & Bhatarsaidh
Community-
owned energy
capacity of
24MW
Urras Bhaltos
North Uist Development
Urras na Pàirce
Urras Steornabhaigh
Urras Oighreachd Charlabhaigh
West Harris Trust
77% of the
population live
on community-
owned land

5. Tolstadh bho Thuath / North Tolsta
• Company Limited by Guarantee, established in 2005
• Buth Tholastaidh – community shop and Post Office purchased in 2008
• Tolsta Power Ltd – 900kW wind turbine, commissioned in August 2013
• community polytunnel provides a variety of vegetables to the Buth
• fuel poverty interventions – annual household payment
• housing minor works scheme
• student bursaries, car driving lesson funding and community
• ballots, votes and revolving Committee
• high-level of community engagement, process ownership and inclusion
• brought the community together in joint purpose
• transferable and scalable process

6. Culture and Heritage
• fresh narrative on the history, culture, heritage and future
• immersive, cohesive and joined-up approach to interpretation
• set of island-wide interpretative under one project across the islands
• community-owned ventures
• community taking ownership of how they define themselves
• ownership of how they want to present themselves to the world
• Urras an Taighe Mhor
• Calanais
• Slighe Hiort
• Comann Eachdraidh Uibhist a Tuath
• Grogarry
• Cnoc Soilleir

7. Asset Transfer and Repurposing
• 26 assets transferred to community ownership
• Cross School (2012) developed by into museum / café / meeting space
• Bragar and Balallan School (2014) community and commercial hub
• Knock School (2015) community shop /café / offices / historical displays
• Carloway School (2017) community hub, shop and lettable units
• Gravir Care Unit transferred to Pairc Trust – affordable housing
• Leverhulme, Lochmaddy and Eriskay Schools (2021) all presently being
developed into community hub facilities
• community spaces at the heart of some of rural places
• maintaining activities, intergenerational opportunities, cafes / shops /
post offices in peripheral villages

8. Repopulation Zone
• communities and areas facing the acutest challenge
• housing; critical infrastructure; access to services; talent attraction
• housing innovation - 36 affordable housing units; Smart Clachan project;
Empty Homes initiative and development of serviced plots
• deliver the suite of identified community-based capital projects (£35m)
• additional support mechanisms for new starts and relocating businesses
• relocation officer
• potential for the creation of a Creative and Media Hub
• Gaidhlig language initiatives – a move away from institutional
approaches to more community-orientated approaches

9. Summary and Observations
• weak economic indicators and weak (and weakening) connectivity
• markets and national institutions are not delivering for the islands
• communities are resilient and innovative
• desire to take greater ownership of their own development
• good progress with ownership of land and energy generation
• move towards ownership of economic strategy and culture
• community empowerment and inclusiveness – local forums
• continued transfer of assets, responsibility and resources
• approach genders strong inclusivity at local community level
• a strong platform – we need to push further