Digital Resources
Community Learning Exchanges
What are Community Learning Exchanges?
Learning exchanges are opportunities for people to visit groups, organisations or communities in other places, to learn from the exchange of ideas and sharing of common solutions. Exchanges create opportunities for people to share information, and learn from others with similar interests, or who face similar challenges.
Community learning exchanges are particularly useful in the rural context, where communities in different and geographically dispersed locations, face similar challenges and opportunities. Exchanges work particularly well for community and social enterprises, where there is a willingness to share learning and experiences.
How is the Hub involved?
The Rural Social Enterprise Hub has an aim of furthering learning and knowledge exchange between rural social enterprises, and funded by the Scottish Community Alliance, has held several in-person and virtual exchanges. Before lockdown, several in-person community learning exchange visits took place; one to the Scottish Borders, with a focus on young people, and one to Oban and Mull, with a focus on collective leadership.
More recently, the Hub has hosted a series of Virtual Learning Exchanges, to share learning from social enterprises across rural Scotland on re-opening and adapting services. From the virtual learning exchanges, we have produced a ‘virtual tour’ and ‘case study’ for each social enterprise – to showcase the work they are doing, and challenges they have faced during Covid.
Case Studies
Community Growing Case Study
Bùth Bharraigh Case Study
Click to download the PDF or watch our video.
R-evolution for Good
Click to download the PDF or watch our video.
Argyll and the Isles Coast and Countryside Trust
Click to download the PDF or watch our video.
Isle20 – Ecommerce
Click to watch our video.
Cothrom – Digital Engagement
Click to watch our video.
How to run a virtual learning exchange
Click to download the PDF or watch our video.
Community-led Tourism
Funded by the Scottish Community Alliance, this community learning exchange held on the 3rd March 2022, with a focus on community-led tourism within rural Scotland.
The influence of COVID-19 and the increasing popularity of travel routes across the country have led to recent, unprecedented developments in Scotland’s tourism industry. We examined Assynt Development Trust and Portsoy Community Enterprise, two rural communities impacted by changes in tourism, and discussed about how they could benefit from it.
Watch their video presentations below.
Succession Planning
Funded by the Scottish Community Alliance, this Community Learning Exchange explored the topic of succession planning from a community-led viewpoint. The session was held online on 31st May 2022.
Succession planning is a strategy for ensuring leadership continuity or transitioning leadership roles. While it is crucial for any organisation, it is especially vital for community-led groups to secure their long-term sustainability. The session examined the experiences of two third-sector organisations, the Newton Stewart Initiative and Inspiralba, both of which have implemented succession planning and engaged with young people in this process.
Watch the presentation videos below:
Fuel Poverty
Funded by the Scottish Community Alliance, this Community Learning Exchange focused on the issue of fuel poverty, particularly in rural communities. The session took place virtually on 5th September 2022.
As the cost of living continues to rise sharply, many people across Scotland are struggling to afford the energy needed to heat their homes, a situation known as ‘fuel poverty.’ The number of those affected is increasing rapidly. This learning exchange explored ways to address fuel poverty by highlighting the work of two organisations actively seeking solutions to this critical issue: ALIenergy and Zero Carbon Moray.
Watch the presentations below:
Community Growing II
Our second community learning exchange on community growing took place on 23rd November in Fairlie, North Ayrshire. This event brought together people from different rural communities across Scotland. We had the chance to talk about the challenges and strengths we face, and to share examples of good practices that can help build a more sustainable future.
Read the full case study here:
Community Growing #2 | Rural Social Enterprise Hub (ruralsehub.net)
