What is the Programme for Government?
The Scottish Government’s new Programme for Government sets out its priorities for the next five years and provides some useful clues about where future funding, policy and partnership opportunities may emerge for community organisations. For members of the Midlothian Climate Action Network, it offers a clear indication of the themes and outcomes likely to shape national conversations around climate action, community development and local resilience in the years ahead.
One of the strongest messages running throughout the Programme is that climate action is no longer being viewed simply as an environmental issue. Instead, it is increasingly linked to stronger communities, better health, lower living costs, economic opportunity and greater resilience in the face of climate change. The Government repeatedly highlights the importance of ensuring that climate action delivers real benefits for people and places.
For many organisations across Midlothian, this will feel very familiar. Whether your work focuses on food growing, biodiversity, community wellbeing, active travel, volunteering, repair and reuse, education, employability or tackling inequality, there is growing recognition that these activities all have a role to play in creating a fairer, greener and more resilient future.
Climate action is about people and communities
A clear theme throughout the Programme is that climate action should improve people’s lives as well as reduce emissions. The Government links climate action to healthier communities, economic opportunities, lower costs and a fair transition to net zero.
The Programme also highlights the importance of community empowerment, community wealth building and local decision-making. Communities are increasingly being seen not simply as recipients of government policy, but as partners in delivering change.
For community organisations, this creates opportunities to demonstrate how local projects strengthen participation, build local skills and leadership, bring people together and create lasting benefits within Midlothian. It also reinforces the importance of community organisations having a voice in shaping the future of their local areas.
Building resilience and restoring nature
Alongside reducing emissions, the Programme places growing emphasis on helping communities respond to the impacts of climate change that are already being felt, including flooding, extreme weather, wildfire risk and changing landscapes.
Locally, this reflects much of the work already taking place across Midlothian through community growing projects, food initiatives, habitat restoration, greenspace improvements, volunteer-led action and activities that strengthen community preparedness and local support networks. These are increasingly recognised as important forms of climate action in their own right
The Programme also recognises that the climate and nature emergencies must be addressed together. Biodiversity recovery, woodland creation, peatland restoration and wider nature restoration all feature strongly within national priorities.
This strengthens the case for the many community-led projects already happening across Midlothian that improve habitats, support wildlife, create and enhance greenspaces, engage volunteers and help people connect with nature. These activities are delivering local benefits while also contributing to Scotland’s wider environmental goals.
Communities leading the transition
The Programme contains a strong focus on community energy, community ownership and ensuring that communities benefit from renewable energy developments. There is increasing recognition that local people should be able to share in the opportunities created by the transition to net zero through lower costs, community benefit, ownership opportunities and greater involvement in decision-making.
The Programme also recognises the importance of partnership working and the role of the third sector in delivering national priorities. For community organisations, this provides a strong basis for demonstrating how local projects contribute to wider goals around climate action, resilience, health, wellbeing and reducing inequalities.
For MCAN members, the overall message is encouraging. Projects that help people save money, strengthen communities, restore nature, improve wellbeing, increase resilience and support a fair transition to net zero are closely aligned with the direction of travel set out by the Scottish Government. These priorities can help strengthen funding applications, support advocacy work and create opportunities for new partnerships.
How the Climate Action Hub can help
Across Midlothian, community groups are already doing much of the work that the Programme for Government identifies as essential to Scotland’s future. As new funding opportunities emerge and organisations develop ideas and projects, the Midlothian Climate Action Hub is here to help members make the most of those opportunities.
Whether you’re developing a new project, looking for funding, building partnerships or trying to demonstrate how your work contributes to national priorities, we would be delighted to support you. We have also developed a range of practical resources that may be useful:
By connecting local action to these wider national priorities, community organisations can strengthen funding applications, identify new partnership opportunities and continue demonstrating the vital role Midlothian communities play in creating a greener, fairer and more resilient future.
