Assets: changes over time

Assets in community ownership in 2023: 840

Figure 1: A steady upward trend in community owned assets has been seen since 2000

The number of community owned assets recorded in Scotland as of 31 December 2023 by year ownership was taken, from 2000 to 2023

Assets where the transfer date is unknown or earlier than 2000 are included in the total for 2000 as at December 2023, 9% of assets had a year of purchase or transfer before 2000 and for less than 1% of assets this was unknown.

The figure is available in the Figures supporting document.

The number of assets in community ownership in 2023 was 840, 26 (3%) higher than in 2022. There has been an increase in recent years with almost 60% of assets (503) acquired after 2010. The figure shows the initiatives and legislation coming into effect in 2001, 2004 and 2016, which supported community ownership.

The process of taking an asset into community ownership can be complex and lengthy. Most community groups apply for funding to help with the purchase, for example from the Scottish Land Fund. This generally requires them to present evidence of community engagement, support for the proposed acquisition, and that the current owner is willing to sell.

There can be a delay between the introduction of an initiative to support community ownership and the resulting asset purchase.