‘Day of the Region’ – Capacity-Building in Rural Communities

Day of the Region is a successful community development model which strengthens and celebrates community spirit and regional identity in rural communities through local-led activity programmes.

Dumfries and Galloway was the first region in the UK to deliver the Day of the Region initiative in 2011, identifying value in an opportunity to celebrate and recognise the contribution of rural communities. Since then, the D&G Day of the Region project has been delivered – and developed – by a number of communities across our region every year.

The approach of Day of the Region, which encourages rural communities to engage in a celebration of their community and to showcase the clubs, activities and assets of the community, helps to build social capital in rural communities by providing a neutral space where communities can come together.

Dumfries and Galloway LEADER LAG plans to develop the Day of the Region community development model further with transnational partners in an innovative three year project (subject to funding).

Project priorities include:

• Collecting data demonstrating social return on investment (SROI) of Day of the Region-type community development programmes using online Social Value engine tool
• A focus on young people/intergenerational work in rural communities, to tie in with Scottish Government theme of Year of Young People in 2018
• Developing community-to-community mentoring programmes in rural areas
• Creating a toolkit for delivery of Day of the Region-type community development programmes (project legacy)

If you are interested in being a partner on this project please contact Lesley Ross by emailing Lesley.Ross2@dumgal.gov.uk.