East Kirkcaldy (along with Govan in Glasgow) is one of two sites which formed the basis of the first Alliance for Action initiative in early 2013.
The two communities had been featured in a Joseph Rowntree Foundation report published as a SURF programme paper, ‘Reality, Resources, Resilience’ (www.jrf.org.uk/publications/reality-resources-resilience ). The Scottish Government welcomed a proposal that SURF – with it experience and cross sector networks – could develop a collaborative ‘Alliance for Action’ programme. The agreed approach was to build on the learning, cooperation, themes and examples identified and presented in the original paper.
As Scotland’s regeneration forum – and with its unique role, experience and cross sector networks – SURF was ideally placed to explore the evolving context and practical options for achieving more participative and sustainable community regeneration.
The main specified aims were to:
- Enhance resilience and practical outcomes in the two communities of concerted focus i.e. Govan in Glasgow and Gallatown in Kirkcaldy;
- Identify and promote constructive debate on wider policy and resource considerations for supporting community regeneration in the continuing recessionary context.
The Alliance for Action was formally launched in two local events held in Govan and Kirkcaldy in spring 2013.
2013 Launch Events
The Alliance for Action was formally launched in two local events held in Govan and Kirkcaldy in spring 2013. These activities brought together local community group members with representatives of national agencies to discuss regeneration challenges and opportunities for each area.
An outcomes paper that recorded the main points of discussion at these local launch events is available for download at the link below (PDF format).
SURF Alliance for Action – launch events report
SURF Alliance for Action – launch events report2014 ‘One Year On’ Progress Report
In April 2014, SURF produced an in-depth progress report for the interest of the SURF APPP. The report summarises key developments over the first year of the programme, and includes a research report on the accessibility and relevance of available Scottish Government regeneration funding streams for organisations and projects based in the two case study areas . Please click on the link below to download a copy (PDF format).
Report for SURF APPP – April 2014
Report for SURF APPP – April 2014SURF Alliance for Action Interim Report 2013-2015
An Interim report highlighting the learning from the first 18 months of operation.
2013-15 SURF Alliance for Action Interim Report
2013-15 SURF Alliance for Action Interim ReportSURF Alliance for Action Films
Compilation April 2015
These filmed interviews – recorded in 2014 – set out an information baseline on the two case study areas of SURF’s Alliance for Action.
Short Film of filmed interviews from East Kirkcaldy in 2015/16
Revisiting East Kirkcaldy one year on
Short Film on the theme of Community Empowerment
From interviews filmed in Govan and East Kirkcaldy in 2015/16
Short Film on the theme of Partnership
From interviews filmed in Govan and East Kirkcaldy in 2015/16
SURF Alliance for Action Infographics June 2015
As part of its Alliance for Action linking and learning processes, SURF created two infographics to record and demonstrate the range of public, private and third sector Alliance for Action partnership connections at national and local level.
The first infographic illustrates 79 partner organisations’ investment (either financial investment or capacity building support, as indicated by the dotted and solid lines respectively) in the Govan and East Kirkcaldy case study sites, and/or on the SURF APPP. A second infographic presents information on the relationships these same partner organisations have with each other.
SURF Alliance for Action Infographics
SURF Alliance for Action InfographicsCreative Scotland Funding and Participatory Budgeting – Gallatown
Creative Scotland was an early and pro-active partner in SURF’s Alliance for Action initiative. Both organisations share an interest in exploring and supporting the potential of creative activities in enhancing inclusive community participation in local regeneration efforts.
Creative Scotland Funding and Participatory Budgeting Report
Creative Scotland Funding and Participatory Budgeting ReportSURF Alliance for Action Learning Events
In 2015 Two events were held in Govan in 2015 bringing together local projects from both Govan and East Kirkcaldy with National Alliance partners. The first event focused on Creative Community Participation and the second looked at Food in the Community and the role of food in local and national regeneration policy and practice.
In 2016 SURF held a Shared Learning Event in the Fairfield Shipyard Offices in Autumn of 2016 bringing together local projects from Govan, East Kirkcaldy and Rothesay with National Alliance partners. The event focused on Heritage and how it can be used as a method for community engagement.
In 2017 SURF held a learning event in the Kinning Park Complex on the topic of Mental Wellbeing and Regeneration.
In April 2018 SURF held a Shared Learning Event on Red Tape and Benefits in the Kinning Park Complex, looking at the impacts of income regulations on community participation and regeneration policy and practice .
Further information and learning from this event is presented in the report below:
Final 2015 shared learning event report
Final 2015 shared learning event reportFinal FOOD learning report
Final FOOD learning reportLearning from SURF Heritage Event
Learning from SURF Heritage EventShared learning report on mental wellbeing
Shared learning report on mental wellbeingShared Learning Report on Red Tape and Benefits
Shared Learning Report on Red Tape and Benefits