The programme, which is part of Development Trusts Association Scotland (DTAS), assists communities across Scotland in raising and managing their own finance through democratic models like community shares, bonds and one-off community lotteries.

In addition to providing expert advice, it also offers microgrants to help groups amplify their share offer campaigns – £206,476 of grant funding has been distributed collectively so far.

The initiatives supported span a wide range of projects, from local shops and pubs to community-owned solar farms and hydro schemes – all of which exemplify the power of democratic finance to turn local commitment into real investment. 

Of all the organisations supported by Democratic Finance Scotland, 95% are still operating – demonstrating the impact of community resilience during especially challenging economic circumstances.

Morven Lyon, Head of Democratic Finance at DTAS, said: “The initiatives supported by DTAS are a prime example of using community shares to enhance public funding and put ownership and decision-making directly into communities’ hands. In giving vital projects the best possible chance of success, they also enable people to invest in the ideas they believe in. It means that money, jobs and control are kept in local areas, turning talk about community wealth building into tangible outcomes in our communities.

“We’ve reached significant milestones in Scotland over the past decade, with the total value of community assets acquired using community share offers reaching nearly £40 million, resulting in the creation of more than 200 jobs.

“Our team has worked hard to contribute to this success, working closely with the committed volunteers and staff of 70 community organisations across the country. The fact that almost all of the organisations we’ve supported are still operating shows what’s possible when communities are trusted to lead – and this impact is only set to grow over the next 10 years.”

Case studies

Bellfield Big Build

Last year, Democratic Finance Scotland assisted community-led organisation Action Porty in exceeding its target to raise funds to redevelop Bellfield church. The building had been purchased by the Portobello community in 2018 – marking the first successful urban ‘Community Right to Buy’ in the country – and used as a driving hub for regular activities and events. Seeking to refurbish the building to expand on its services, the Bellfield Big Build community share offer was launched last year.

With Democratic Finance Scotland’s expertise and support, Action Porty exceeded its minimum target within the first month, unlocking £450,000 in match funding from the UK Community Ownership Fund and raising a total of £168,525 in addition to doubling its membership to over 1,100.

Glenuig Community Inn

The programme also supported the community of Glenuig’s 2025 community share offer which aimed to secure ownership of the Glenuig Inn – a business central to the local population, providing jobs, accommodation, food and drink services and a vibrant events space. With the current owner intending to sell the Inn, and several community-led organisations already thriving in the village, there was a unanimous agreement that a community buy-out would be the favoured option. Through Democratic Finance Scotland’s support, the community received applications for more than 300,000 shares, securing the Inn’s long-term future as a welcoming, year-round hub at the heart of the village.

Glenuig Community Inn committee member, Louise Johnson, said: “Our DTAS Advisor was able to talk us through the requirements and good practice of how we should run our share offer prior to launching it.

“None of the committee had been involved in a community share offer previously, so the handholding was much appreciated. Similarly, providing the external consultant to assess us for the Community Shares Standard Mark was very useful and much appreciated. We were also awarded a microgrant to help with early marketing and promotion of the share offer.”