·       Naming VCEL and other third-sector partners as equal contributors to thematic priorities.

·       Establishing LOIP Thematic Delivery Groups (Health, Safety, Poverty) with third-sector co-leads.

·       Embedding third-sector leadership within LOIP governance structures.

·       Embed Infrastructure for Volunteering and Community Action
Volunteering is central to early intervention, prevention, and community wellbeing. Suggestion:

·       Recognising volunteering as a delivery method, not only a social outcome.

·       Supporting the infrastructure that enables volunteering (e.g. coordination, training, safeguarding, quality assurance).

·       Linking volunteering into pathways for employability, wellbeing, and inclusion.

·       Prioritise Sustainable Investment and Long-Term Funding
The community sector’s ability to contribute meaningfully is undermined by short-term and precarious funding. Suggestion:

·       Linking LOIP actions to commissioning and funding strategies that enable longer-term, flexible funding.

·       Committing to preventative spend, community wealth building, and community-led delivery.

·       Ensuring alignment between LOIP objectives and funding mechanisms (e.g. Participatory Budgeting, procurement).

·       Strengthen Participatory Governance and Local Democracy
There is a clear call from communities to be more meaningfully involved in decisions. We suggest:

·       Establishing a LOIP Community Participation Panel, supported by VCEL, to oversee ongoing engagement and scrutiny. Signal would also inform the LOIP

·       Resourcing third-sector and community capacity to participate in governance and monitoring.

·       Embedding participatory budgeting and co-production within LOIP implementation.

·       Integrate SIGNAL and Real-Time Data Tools
VCEL’s SIGNAL Scotland platform offers live, community-generated data on emerging needs and service gaps. Suggestion:

·       Adopting SIGNAL as a core LOIP monitoring tool.

·       Using SIGNAL data in quarterly learning loops to inform action and adapt delivery.

·       Linking SIGNAL to the new Participation and Engagement Strategy.

·       Advance Community Power and Asset-Based Approaches
Community empowerment is a central theme of the Community Empowerment Act. We recommend:

·       Including a commitment to enabling equitable access to community spaces.

·       Supporting asset transfer and community ownership in line with local aspirations.

·       Building community-led infrastructure as part of long-term prevention and resilience.

·       Additional Suggestions (some are already underway)

·       Develop a LOIP Partnership Compact setting out mutual expectations and contributions of all partners, including the third sector.

·       Ensure the new Participation and Engagement Strategy includes support for community governance, capacity-building, and inclusive engagement.

Recognise the role of TSIs in supporting trauma-informed practice, volunteering infrastructure, and governance development

·       Description/overview or example of any thematic analysis and how that was done would be helpful

·       Noted that engagement with some groups has not been possible-supporting info/data would be helpful in this case to address gaps

·       Strengthen governance and accountability: a description of how community voices will be embedded in ongoing governance structures and mechanisms for feedback and accountability to participants is important. This supports the ‘Governance’ standard and the Community Empowerment Act’s requirement for public accountability

·       Cultural competence to support inclusive engagement- any actions taken to address/support this so far could be included and outlined for future.

·       Expand on evaluation plans- a logic model or evaluation framework could be included

·       Defining metrics for success (e.g., reduction in inequality indicators, improved service access) will be important in the development of the LOIP

Is there anything you feel is missing?

•Communities – we live in communities which are inclusive, empowered, resilient and safe

•Culture – We are creative and our vibrant and diverse cultures are expressed and enjoyed widely

•Economy - We have a globally competitive, entrepreneurial, inclusive and sustainable economy

•Education - We are well educated, skilled and able to contribute to society

•Environment - We value, enjoy, protect and enhance our environment

•Fair work and Business - We have thriving and innovative businesses, with quality jobs and fair work for everyone

•Health - We are healthy and active

•Human Rights - We respect, protect and fulfil human rights and live free from discrimination

•International - We are open, connected and make a positive contribution internationally

•Poverty - We tackle poverty by sharing opportunities, wealth and power more equally

•Communities – we live in communities which are inclusive, empowered, resilient and safe

•Culture – We are creative and our vibrant and diverse cultures are expressed and enjoyed widely

•Economy - We have a globally competitive, entrepreneurial, inclusive and sustainable economy

•Education - We are well educated, skilled and able to contribute to society

•Environment - We value, enjoy, protect and enhance our environment

•Fair work and Business - We have thriving and innovative businesses, with quality jobs and fair work for everyone

•Health - We are healthy and active

•Human Rights - We respect, protect and fulfil human rights and live free from discrimination

•International - We are open, connected and make a positive contribution internationally

•Poverty - We tackle poverty by sharing opportunities, wealth and power more equally

•Communities – we live in communities which are inclusive, empowered, resilient and safe

•Culture – We are creative and our vibrant and diverse cultures are expressed and enjoyed widely

•Economy - We have a globally competitive, entrepreneurial, inclusive and sustainable economy

•Education - We are well educated, skilled and able to contribute to society

•Environment - We value, enjoy, protect and enhance our environment

•Fair work and Business - We have thriving and innovative businesses, with quality jobs and fair work for everyone

•Health - We are healthy and active

•Human Rights - We respect, protect and fulfil human rights and live free from discrimination

•International - We are open, connected and make a positive contribution internationally

•Poverty - We tackle poverty by sharing opportunities, wealth and power more equally