Definitions
For the purposes of this resource the definitions are:
Community:
“A community can be any group of people who feel they have something in common. In many cases, it is that they live in the same area. However, it can also be that they share an interest or characteristic. Communities of interest could include faith groups, ethnic or cultural groups, people affected by a particular illness or disability, sports clubs, conservation groups, clan and heritage associations, etc. They may be very specialised or local, ranging up to national or international groups with thousands of members.” Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015
Community Engagement:
“Community engagement is a purposeful process which develops a working relationship between communities, community organisations, and public and private bodies to help them identify and act on community needs and ambitions. It involves respectful dialogue between everyone involved, aimed at improving understanding between them and taking joint action to achieve positive change.” Scottish Community Development Centre
Consultations:
The term ‘consultation’ should be used as a descriptor only when consulting under statutory obligation. This is because statutory obligations require public bodies to consult on specific issues to ensure fairness and transparency in decision-making. This ensures that the consultation process is conducted fairly and that the views of those affected are considered in the decision-making process.
