Our vision and our strategy

Our vision is for a fairer and more just Scotland, where citizens and communities come together as ‘Agents of Change’ to build local economies that work for us all.

We will support communities to increase knowledge and use of democratic finance models that propel a shift from the current extractive economic system to one that captures and boosts wealth within communities.

We need a new system that is rooted in local control, equity and democratic accountability. We must move away from piecemeal grant funding towards local investment and ownership opportunities that serve citizens, fosters community development and sustainable economic resilience.

Democratic Finance Key Principles

The Democratic Finance Scotland programme is rooted in the following:

Democratic

Money is raised collectively from within a community
Money is invested into democratically controlled organisations
Investment and membership opportunities are open to all
Communities acting independently on their own behalf as ‘Agents of Change’
Community assets and services are mutually owned and run

Finance

Organisations have a greater blend of income and are less grant dependent
Communities have networks of ‘Citizen Investors’
Money is repayable to local people and local organisations
Money is retained and circulated locally, boosting long term community wealth
Investment opportunities are affordable and fair, and best suited to community and social enterprises

The partnership

The programme is delivered as a partnership between Development Trusts Association Scotland (DTAS) and Scottish Communities Finance Ltd (SCF). It builds on over 20 years of grass roots community work, including the delivery of the successful Community Shares Scotland programme, and the knowledge and experience that this brings.

About DTAS

DTAS was established in 2003 and is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO no SC034231). It is a membership organisation, providing support to over 350 development trust members across rural, island and urban Scotland. The development trust approach seeks to address social, economic and environmental challenges at a local level. Development Trusts are place-based, community-led and community-owned enterprises. They provide inspiration and evidence that positive change can be achieved through local control and ownership, regenerating local areas through asset ownership, social enterprise and community empowerment.

About SCF Ltd

SCF is a Community Benefit Society registered with the FCA (RS 7649). It was established to support all communities (irrespective of geographical location or economic conditions) across Scotland to secure affordable, patient capital via the issuing of Community Bonds. SCF Ltd is a member of Responsible Finance, a UK network of organisations ‘with a vision to create a fair financial system, that enable investment to flow into communities to create positive economic, social and environmental impact’.

The team

Pauline Hinchion

Director Democratic Finance at Scottish Communities Finance Ltd

Pauline has worked in local economic development for over 25 years, as well as working in the private and public sectors. She has MSc in Local Economic Development and a HNC in Socially Responsible Finance. She started with SCF Ltd in 2017 and was instrument in developing the Community Bond model of citizen investment in Scotland.

Morven Lyon

Head of Democratic Finance at Development Trusts Association Scotland

Morven Lyon, has over 12 years’ experience working in programme management and delivery in the Third Sector – with a specific focus on community business and community-led finance models. She is one of Scotland’s leading experts in the community shares finance model and the Community Benefit Society governance structure.