Your Island, Your Support
The Island Communities Place Programme can support your community to understand the planning system, take part in local decision-making, and shape the future of your area.
Funded by the Scottish Government and delivered by Planning Aid Scotland, it is open to all Scottish island communities.
On this page you can:
What is the Island Communities Place Programme?
The Island Communities Place Programme is a training and capacity building programme providing placemaking and planning support for island communities.
Through webinars, one-to-one mentoring and online resources, the programme equips your community to understand the planning system, take part in local decision-making, and shape the future of your area.
- Explore how planning can help protect and improve your local area
- Get help with community-led plans such as Local Place Plans and Community Action Plans
- Find effective ways to engage with your community, including collecting the views of children and young people
- Learn about the processes relating to renewable energy developments and how to have your say
Who is involved?
The programme is delivered by Planning Aid Scotland and funded by the Scottish Government. It will deliver actions from the new National Islands Plan which aims to address the challenges and opportunities facing Scotland’s islands.
Online training
Booking for training sessions will open from August onwards. Use the tabs to view both webinars and Q&A sessions.
The sessions are free, online and open to all Scottish island communities. You can book your place through Eventbrite. Follow the Planning Aid Scotland page to get notifications.
We want to make the sessions as accessible as possible. Please get in touch (anne@pas.org.uk) if the times do not suit or if there are other adaptations that would help you to attend.
Introduction to the planning system
Thursday 17 September | 12:30–1:30pm
This webinar provides an introduction to the planning system. Have you ever wondered how a new building or structure in your local area gets approved? The planning system helps shape the places where you live and work – it influences decisions on everything from housing to community facilities.
Introduction to community engagement
Thursday 8 October 2026 | 1pm – 2pm
This introductory webinar will explore the basics of community engagement, from thinking about who you want to involve and what you want to find out to choosing suitable engagement methods. If you want more meaningful information (not just more meetings), this is a session you won’t want to miss.
Local Place Plans – Knowing the essentials
Wednesday 14 October | 12:30–1:30pm
Would you like to have more influence over the future of your community? A Local Place Plan is a community-led plan that sets out local priorities for how an area should develop and change. This session will explain what Local Place Plans are, what they can achieve and what is involved in preparing one.
Q&A: Planning and policy
Thursday 1 October | 12:30–1:30pm
This is the first session of the Your Island, Your Questions monthly open forum meetings. It is an interactive session and an opportunity to get to know each other and ask questions about the Scottish planning system.
Q&A: Community engagement methods
Thursday 29 October | 1pm – 2pm
This session will give you the chance to hear how other island communities are involving people, what challenges they have faced and what they have learned along the way. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask questions directly to Planning Aid Scotland’s engagement specialists, who bring decades of experience in community engagement and participation.
Q&A: Local Place Plans
TBC
This session is part of the Your Island, Your Questions monthly open forum meetings. Ask your questions about Local Place Plans. Booking for this event will open from August.
Q&A: Renewable energy planning
TBC
This session is part of the Your Island, Your Questions monthly open forum meetings. Ask your questions about renewable energy planning. Booking for this event will open from August.
Q&A: Digital tools for engagement
TBC
This session is part of the Your Island, Your Questions monthly open forum meetings. Ask your questions about digital tools for engagement. Booking for this event will open from August.
One-to-one mentoring
Sign up for a chance to get bespoke one-to-one mentoring support for you and your community.
- We will match you with one of our volunteers who are planners and placemaking professionals
- They will provide monthly support to help you engage with your community and deliver a Community Action Plan or Local Place Plan
Email anne@pas.org.uk to arrange a meeting.
Peer support network
Your Island, Your Questions
These monthly open forum meetings focus on a different topic each time, covering community engagement, community-led plans and renewable energy. Moderated by Planning Aid Scotland staff and volunteers, they are an opportunity to get expert advice, share experiences and learn from one another.
Use the link below to register on Eventbrite.
Your Island, Your Forum
Join the dedicated Facebook group to connect with other island communities, ask your questions and learn from one another. This is a great place to share what has worked well in your area, work through any challenges and get inspiration.
Use the link below to join the group.
Resource Hub
A digital library providing practical templates, guides, case studies and best practice examples to support community-led planning. Use the tabs to navigate through the resources.
If there are other resources you think we should include, please get in touch (anne@pas.org.uk).
SP=EED Framework
SP=EED is a framework to support better engagement in planning and placemaking, devised and produced by Planning Aid Scotland.
Renewable Energy Developments
This information sheet is designed to help anyone involved with, or affected by, a proposal for onshore renewable energy-related developments.
Guide for Community Delivery of LPPs
Planning Aid Scotland’s Guide explains the role of Local Place Plans (LPPs) in the Scottish planning system and offers a framework to support you with developing and delivering your plan.
Project Management Tool
This simple tool is designed to help a steering group organise and structure their thoughts as they embark on developing a Local Place Plan.
Want to partner with us?
We are looking for organisational partners to collaborate with. Collaboration could look like:
- Helping to signpost communities
- Developing new resources
- Or if you have any ideas, let us know!
Please get in touch (anne@pas.org.uk) if you would like to get involved.