Up and coming events from the CLD Standards Council

You can also follow us on Eventbrite for advanced notification of our events.

Have Your Say: Community Right to Buy – Friday 5 September 2025 3-4.30pm

We are pleased to invite members to a dedicated engagement session with the Scottish Government’s Community Land Policy Team to explore and discuss the ongoing public consultation on the review of Community Right to Buy (CRtB) legislation.

As outlined in the Programme for Government 2024–2025, the Scottish Government has committed to undertaking a comprehensive review of the current Community Rights to Buy options. The current consultation seeks to identify and evaluate potential improvements to the CRtB process, with the aim of enhancing its effectiveness and accessibility at every stage—from application through to acquisition and implementation.

This “Have Your Say” session provides a valuable opportunity for members to engage directly with policy officials from the Community Land Team. Attendees will gain insights into the key objectives and areas of focus within the consultation and will be supported to explore the consultation questions in detail.

The session is designed to:

  • Facilitate meaningful dialogue between community development practitioners and the Scottish Government;
  • Provide a forum for practitioners to share their expertise and on-the-ground experience of supporting community ownership initiatives;
  • Contribute to the development of informed and constructive responses to the consultation, grounded in the practical realities faced by the communities we work with.

In addition to shaping your individual responses, your contributions during this event will inform the official consultation submission to be made by the CLD Standards Council. Your participation is vital in ensuring that practitioner perspectives are well-represented and that the future of Community Right to Buy reflects the genuine needs and aspirations of Scotland’s communities.

We strongly encourage all members with an interest in land reform, community empowerment, and local ownership to attend and take part in this important policy development process.

Member Meet-up: CLD in Development Trusts – Research Findings – Wednesday 10 September 2025 10-11.30am

Early in 2025, in partnership with CLD Standards Council, the Development Trust Association Scotland (DTAS) surveyed 59 members of DTAS to explore how they engage with Community Learning and Development (CLD). The findings reveal some eye-opening trends—and clear opportunities to build stronger ties between Development Trusts and the CLD sector. Join us to find out more and explore how we can achieve even more for and with Scotland’s communities.

EDI Member Forum: Gaming/Gambling Harms training for Faith and Community Leaders – Tuesday 23 September 2025
10am-12.30pm

Delivered by Ygam, this engaging, evidence-based training, will help you develop a deeper understanding of how gaming and gambling affect young people in marginalised communities and faith groups, increase your confidence in addressing these sensitive topics, and give you practical strategies for prevention that respect cultural values. Topics will include:

  • How young people encounter gaming and gambling in their daily lives
  • The role of advertising, social media, and evolving gaming mechanics
  • Understanding vulnerability factors in marginalised groups
  • The role religion and culture can play in relation to gaming and gambling.
  • Gaming, gambling, and their impact on mental health and wellbeing
  • The blurred lines between gaming and gambling
  • Understanding in-game purchases, microtransactions and virtual currencies
  • Spotting the changes in behaviour that may signal harm
  • Supporting young people through effective conversations
  • Signposting and connecting young people with appropriate support

A greater understanding of these important and senstive areas can support our work with learners and communities. As always, we aim for this to be a safe, inclusive and positive space for CLD practitioners to share expertise, ask questions and develop knowledge to inform practice. All links, presentations and resources will be available for you to access on our ED&I i-develop group after the session.

Rural CLD Practitioner Network: Climate Anxiety & Eco Distress – Wednesday 8 October 2025 3-4.30pm

This Rural CLD Practitioner Network session will explore climate anxiety and eco-distress in the context of Community Learning and Development in rural areas.

As the climate changes, negative environmental effects are being felt and seen around the world. The effect that climate change has on mental health is often termed climate anxiety or eco distress. This feeling can manifest as a “chronic fear of environmental doom”. Recent studies have shown it is being felt by young people all over the world, as well as by a significant number of adults.

(World Economic Forum, How do scientists feel about climate change? )

During this session, we will have a specific focus on rurality, and will consider:

  • Current research, facts and figures,
  • Views of children and young people,
  • Sharing helpful tools and resources,
  • Time for questions and professional dialogue.