SURF today publishes its final report on the Alliance for Action Programme, which ended earlier this year after running for 13 years. The current report focusses on work conducted across the last two sites – Girvan and Peterhead – which both ran for three years from 2023 to 2026.

The programme offers five key lessons for both policymakers and those working in place:

  1. Place-based coordination roles have a real impact on regeneration outcomes.
  2. Small funding pots make a big difference.
  3. Local knowledge counts double.
  4. Real change takes time (and funding).
  5. Change must be visible for it to matter.

Key findings from a survey conducted with regeneration stakeholders in both areas include:

  • 95% felt that Alliance for action had produced benefits for the wider community.
  • Across both programmes, 89% felt that Alliance for Action activity had produced benefits for their organisation.
  • 79% of respondents across Girvan and Peterhead rated the programme as ‘Excellent’ in meeting its primary aim to strengthen community resilience and promote practical regeneration outcomes.
  • 91% of respondents in Girvan and 75% in Peterhead felt that the Alliance for Action Programme had raised the profile of regeneration in the local area.
  • 75% of Peterhead respondents and 82% in Girvan felt that Alliance for Action had helped increase collaboration across stakeholders.

We are grateful to our former colleagues Linda Hendry, Zanne Domoney-Lyttle, Ann Campbell, Peter Renwick, Mairi Telford-Jammeh, Paul Duffy, Elaine Cooper, Brian MacDonald, and Tam Munro for their hard work and dedication throughout the Alliance for Action programme.

Read the full report here.