Taking a place-based approach

We will support and promote the Shetland Partnership’s 10 Year Development Plan to attract people to live, work, study and invest in Shetland and regularly refresh the actions to match what the evidence tells us

Partners in Shetland have been working together with Hub North Scotland, Scottish Futures Trust and People Powered Results (Nesta) to develop plans to improve outcomes for communities through a place-based approach, which will:

  • collectively consider priority outcomes with communities
  • take stock of current and planned activity
  • collaborate on assets, service provision and investment for maximum benefit

Nort Natters is an example of a community engagement project that took place in the north mainland of Shetland in November 2022 involving a range of partners.  It was designed to hear from people who live, work and study in the area to understand what those communities want and need, now and in the future.

More than 525 people took part (305 were young people and children) with folk asked what they liked about living in the north mainland, what changes would make a difference for them and their loved ones, and what would help these changes to happen.

A number of themes emerged – moving around, more opportunities for young people, community cohesion, engagement with communities, cost of living and growth vs peacefulness.  A report on the project (February 2023) is online at www.shetland.gov.uk/nort-natters.

Nort Natters report