Join our Community Network

Everyone’s sense of ‘place’ is different but we all have somewhere we know and love – our neighbourhood, village, local park, woodland, or nearby nature reserve. Across the UK, people are taking care of their environment for the benefit of themselves, their community, and local wildlife. Grassroots environmental action involves groups and organisations representing people of all ages, backgrounds, abilities and experience, including:

• Schools
• Tenants’ and residents’ associations
• Youth projects
• Amenity societies
• Wildlife organisations
• Conservation volunteer groups
• Transition Towns
• 'Friends' groups

These groups are involved in a fantastic variety of projects including: wildlife gardens, food growing initiatives, local path networks, neighbourhood clean-ups, community woodlands, habitat management, and much more! As well as the local benefits, many of these schemes contribute to the wider issues of climate change, biodiversity, and sustainability. Throughout the UK, thousands of groups and projects are given a helping hand by BTCV through the Community Network membership scheme. In Scotland the Community Network has two levels of membership: Scotland Plus and Scotland Standard.

Community Network Scotland Plus

Scotland Plus membership costs £38 annually (*see below) and offers a wide range of benefits, including:

• A programme of free or subsidised training events covering a wide range of topics from practical conservation skills to working with volunteers.
• Access to BTCV’s popular insurance scheme enabling groups to ‘do their own thing’ with essential insurance cover for volunteers and public alike, plus peace of mind for group organisers.
• Online assistance through BTCV’s Community Hub, including a Resource Bank of useful guides and information, plus links to GRANTnet, the comprehensive funding database.
• The regular Network Bulletin showcases the activities of Network member groups, as well as BTCV Scotland’s own projects and programmes.
• Network members benefit from 10% discounts on purchases of BTCV tools, clothing, trees, wildflowers and publications.
• Access to the Chestnut Fund (subject to eligibility) - a small grants scheme enabling groups with limited funds to equip themselves with the necessary tools and training.
• A monthly e-Bulletin providing up-to-date news of training courses, funding opportunities, and ‘sharing good practice’ events.
• Practical support from BTCV’s local offices to help Network members with their projects on the ground.

Community Network Scotland Standard

Even if groups don’t require the full package of Scotland Plus benefits they can still participate in a wide range of information and learning opportunities, promoted through Scotland Standard membership – free of charge!

Community Network Scotland is aimed at both ‘traditional’ environmental groups and organisations representing the wider spectrum of community and voluntary activity. This includes BME groups, health agencies, and others whose members, clients and volunteers can also contribute to, and benefit from, environmental activities.

Download a Community Network Scotland application form (for both Plus and Standard membership).

For more information about the Community Network in Scotland, contact Graham Burns on 0141 552 5294, or email scotland-network@btcv.org.uk

The Community Network has been developed by BTCV Scotland and FEVA Scotland and is supported by the Scottish Government and Scottish Natural Heritage.