Scottish climate action hubs: independent evaluation

NESCAN Hub Research Findings

The following section provides a summary of the research findings for the NESCAN hub. The section is divided into the three main outcomes from the TOC, which were described above. Each section includes a summary of the outputs under each outcome and lists the specific output indicator that was used for the assessment. An analysis of these findings is provided in the Evaluation Section of this report.

Outcome 1: The NESCAN hub is facilitating the necessary resources for climate response

The purpose of this first outcome was to assess whether there is evidence of the NESCAN hub developing and providing access to the appropriate resources (such as data, information, and funding) to enable effective and collaborative action on climate change response.

Output 1: Facilitating knowledge sharing

The first output and indicator shown in figure 4 below, was intended to provide an indication of the extent to which the NESCAN hub is facilitating knowledge and sharing information.

Output

Facilitating knowledge sharing

Indicator

Evidence of knowledge and information sharing facilitated by the hub

Figure 4: Output 1 Indicator Description

The NESCAN hub’s progress and annual reports provide a historical record of activities that relate to developing and sharing information and knowledge. These activities include the development of communication materials, the development of the hub website, the publication of newsletters and an active social media profile. The documentation also notes the hub organises events such as community assemblies, ‘Climate: knowledge into action’ workshops, and film screenings. The documentation outlines how the hub provides advice and support to individuals and groups, both in person and through their online communication channels. The documentation details how hub staff actively participate in skill-sharing events, contribute to conferences and panels, and provide tailored advice to help others increase their knowledge and expertise. The documentation furthermore notes that the hub staff collaborate with community groups and other regional partners to promote knowledge exchange and collaboration.

Several stakeholders supported the view that the NESCAN hub has been effective in disseminating climate-related messages at a localised and regional level, making it easier for people to access information and understand its relevance to their area.

"The network is useful for allowing dissemination of information."

There was particular support for the interactive map on the hub’s website, events such as the ‘Climate Week North East’ and various educational and training initiatives.

Stakeholders additionally noted that the NESCAN hub’s approach to communication is on making complex scientific information accessible and relatable, using human language to convey important messages without overwhelming the audience. They also noted that the NESCAN hub’s approach to effective knowledge sharing involves collecting community narratives and translating them into meaningful conversations and strategies.

"...NESCAN talk to the community and gather their voice, their narrative, and then translate that into other important conversations... It really helps to give an independent and clear narrative of what the community's desires are."

In addition, a number of stakeholders noted that the NESCAN hub provides information not commonly available in traditional educational settings, especially for international students in Aberdeen.

"It's a great resource I wish more teachers utilised."

However, some respondents also noted that the NESCAN hub's efforts in sharing knowledge, in some instances, focussed on individuals already interested in this area. It was not clear how this audience reach could be improved. There was some acknowledgement that the hub’s capacity to reach the broader public may be limited due to the resource challenges in engaging those not already interested in climate issues.

“It is a little bit of a room of the already-converted, but nonetheless, there's really important conversations happening there and it is bringing people together.”

Output 2: Building community awareness

The second output and indicator, shown in figure 5 below, intended to assess in what ways the hub was working to raise the community's awareness about climate change issues. This output assessed whether the hub was helping to grow the understanding of climate issues.

Output

Building community awareness

Indicator

Evidence of the hub building community awareness of the climate emergency

Figure 5: Output 2 Indicator Description

The documentation provides a range of examples of ways in which the NESCAN hub is creating opportunities to build community climate literacy and awareness. For example, the hub has run community climate assembly sessions and workshops to increase climate knowledge and literacy. They also organised Climate Week North East, which was spread over 10 days with 173 different activities and events run by various different organisers which aimed to raise awareness of climate action. Additionally, the hub created a film that showcases local community climate action projects, which was screened in different parts of Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire.

However, despite the wide range and number of awareness-raising activities, there is limited explicit evidence in the hub’s reports that clearly demonstrates an increase in climate literacy and awareness within communities. Therefore, there may be an opportunity for measuring and tracking changes in climate awareness within the community in future (e.g. through pre- and post-assessments at events).

Despite the lack of explicit evidence of improved awareness in the hub’s documentation, many stakeholders noted the key role the hub is playing in building climate awareness in the community. Several stakeholders highlighted the hub's role in organising events such as community climate assemblies. These events often offered a broad range of learning experiences for participants, enhancing their understanding and engagement with various sustainability issues. The hub's role in advertising and supporting public events helped in raising awareness and drawing attention to environmental issues.

"Community Climate Assemblies...are a fantastic initiative for expanding understanding."

In addition, a number of stakeholders highlighted the important role the hub’s community development officers (CDOs) play in facilitating a better understanding of climate issues. They noted that the fact that the CDOs are locally-based and understand the local context allows them to make the information and resources locally relevant. Respondents also commented on the quality of staff and how approachable the staff were, which helped to enhance their own climate emergency awareness and response efforts.

"We have a much more climate-aware community through the work of NESCAN Hub community development officers."

Stakeholders highlighted the peer-to-peer learning exchange aspect of the NESCAN hub's activities, where the hub staff share their knowledge and experiences with other organisations. Stakeholders noted this approach not only builds relationships but also strengthens the capacity of various groups involved in climate action and sustainability.

"We're learning from NESCAN... in terms of mapping and things [..] we're looking forward to learn more [about these things] so that we can replicate that."

Output 3: Building relationships amongst stakeholders

Output 3, shown in figure 6 below, is intended to assess whether there was evidence of the hub building relationships between and across stakeholder groups.

Output

Building relationships amongst stakeholders

Indicator

Evidence of the hub helping to build relationships between stakeholders.

Figure 6: Output 3 Indicator Description

The progress reports highlight several ways in which the hub is facilitating partnership building. A key example is the Just Transition Fund Participatory Budgeting (JTPB) project, where the NESCAN hub has worked together with three third-sector interfaces and other organisations. The documentation notes how the NESCAN hub has worked with the local area partnership groups and hosted the Climate Week North East. The documentation also details how the hub has deepened connections through attendance at regional hub stakeholder meetings and developed relationships with other support services and stakeholders.

Stakeholders stated that the NESCAN hub played a significant role in bringing together various partners through collaborative projects. They moreover remarked on the NESCAN hub's capability to manage partnerships and adapt to feedback for successful collaboration.

"NESCAN has very ably brought together the various partners...and has also had the humility to accept feedback when things didn't maybe pan out the way they expected ".

"Working with NESCAN gives me the chance to speak to other organisations and groups."

A number of stakeholders highlighted how the JTBP process was instrumental in introducing various stakeholders to each other, facilitating connections that might not have been made otherwise. Furthermore stakeholders noted that the hub actively works to connect people across different areas of Aberdeenshire who are engaged in similar climate-related activities. This networking fosters collaboration and sharing of best practices. The hub was also seen as instrumental in bringing together groups working on similar projects, such as village hall refits, encouraging collaboration rather than competition.

"They've been very helpful in saying that he is a key contact for this particular community, or you might want to get in touch with them. So just expanding the membership and people who potentially could come along to meetings has been very helpful. So that kind of formal and informal network has been helpful to us."

However, some stakeholders noted that the hub may not be building relationships as effectively beyond the community level. There was an impression that the hub does not strongly link with all local authorities or businesses inside the sector. Some stakeholders noted that the effectiveness in relationship building among a wider range of local stakeholders (those beyond the immediate community setting) could be improved. Furthermore there was an observation that the hub could engage more directly with local authorities to better understand what their needs are.

"They have their areas that they work on, but I don't think there's ever been a question from the hub, ‘what's the local authority missing, what needs doing?’.”

One respondent suggested the establishment of a forum between hubs and local authorities. They noted the hub could potentially employ someone (budget permitting) in a coordinator role who would be responsible for finding out the gaps in local climate action and determining what needs to be done to address them more effectively.

Outcome 2: The NESCAN Hub is stimulating low-carbon and climate resilient interventions

This second outcome aims to assess the extent to which the NESCAN hub has been successful in encouraging and facilitating interventions that contribute to a sustainable reduction in carbon footprints and enhance resilience against the adverse effects of climate change. The outcome builds on the foundation created through Outcome 1 and explores whether the support and resources provided by the hub have translated into tangible, climate-smart initiatives on the ground, marking a proactive step towards achieving long-term environmental sustainability and climate goals.

Output 4: Stimulating climate action

Output 4, which is shown in figure 7 below, is intended to assess whether there was evidence of specific climate change interventions taking place as a result of the support form the hub.

Output

Stimulating climate action

Indicator

Evidence of the hub stimulating climate action in the community.

Figure 7: Output 4 Indicator Description

The progress reports outline various ways in which the hub helped to stimulate climate action. These include project development and management support, signposting for project developers and the provision of and support to access funding. For example, the NESCAN hub provided support to community groups by offering one-to-one help, advice on project development, seed funding opportunities, and opportunities to publicise their projects and activities through various channels. The NESCAN hub organised a mapping event that led to the creation of the Climate Action Projects Map on their website. The hub also created and screened a film called “North East Scotland Communities: Our Green Journey” to showcase local community climate action projects.

Furthermore, the documentation outlines how the NESCAN hub has provided advice and support to community groups interested in setting up local community energy projects, and how the hub has funded projects that promote active travel, such as walking and cycling, as a means of reducing carbon emissions from transportation. The documentation also provides details on how the hub has supported projects focused on improving energy efficiency in homes and buildings by providing access to seed funding. This includes initiatives like retrofitting buildings with energy-saving measures and promoting the use of renewable energy sources.

However, the documentation does not provide details of how effective these activities have been in stimulating climate action and why certain activities by the hub have (or have not) stimulated climate activities. The focus in the reporting is rather on what has happened over a particular reporting period.

Many stakeholders noted that the NESCAN hub has been proactive in supporting climate action within local communities. Respondents note that the hub’s staff support projects at different levels, from helping stakeholders to network and collaborate around the growth of local food in pot plants and allotments, to facilitating discussions and providing technical support on solar panel installations for self-sufficiency. A number of respondents specifically mentioned how the hub has provided key financial and resource-based support to organisations such as NESFIT and Torry retrofit project.

“NESCAN jumped straight in, let's do solar panels and do all this kind of thing for self-sufficiency.”

Many respondents highlighted how the hub has been instrumental in supporting grassroots climate-related projects by providing both participatory budgeting funds and seed funding. Stakeholders noted that this support has enabled local groups to either begin or expand their climate initiatives, as well as to seek additional funds through schemes like the Just Transition Fund. The hub’s capacity-building role was also highlighted, noting the hub has empowered community groups with the skills and knowledge necessary for successful project implementation.

"It is a go-to for specialist advice on community projects."

In addition, stakeholders noted the NESCAN hub has actively encouraged community-led climate action by engaging with individuals across different sectors. This has included participative and deliberative processes, employing methods such as deliberative assemblies and climate cafes, critical for assessing community needs and crafting suitable interventions.

“Yes, absolutely. They're helping. The deliberative processes that, for example, are being supported through the just transition communities project aren't just an end in itself, although I would argue that how we engage with each other is going to be increasingly important. So, developing those skills for communities is very important. But they're not just an end in itself, in themselves. They lead to communities identifying areas where they want to take actions, developing plans to take action, and then taking those actions forward.”

However, some respondents felt the NESCAN hub could have a more project-oriented approach. For example, one stakeholder believed NESCAN has in the past focussed strongly on building capacity and communicating issues rather than supporting and implementing actual climate change response projects.

"NESCAN do a lot of engagement activity, however it’s actions that are needed."

Linked to the above point about a more project-orientated approach, was a view raised by one stakeholder that NESCAN could focus on more strategic interventions. This could be interventions at a larger regional level or interventions with a high climate response impact. This shift in focus could increase the overall impact of the hub’s efforts in promoting climate resilience and low-carbon interventions.

"Litter picking, walks, are easy but what do they really achieve?"

Output 5: Supporting climate resilience

The purpose of output 5, shown in figure 8 below, was to assess whether climate change resilience was being promoted through the hub. For the purpose of this evaluation, the concept of resilience was broadly defined as both climate change adaptation-related interventions as well as building adaptive capacity.

Output

Supporting climate resilience

Indicator

Evidence of the hub supporting your community to be more climate resilient.

Figure 8: Output 5 Indicator Description

The NESCAN hub’s project reports noted that a key mechanism for supporting climate resilience was through improved access to climate financing. As noted in the section above (Output 4: Stimulating climate action) the documentation outlines how the hub provided seed funding and facilitated access to the participatory budgeting fund for community climate action. This seed funding also supported a number of resilience related projects. An example of a community-led climate action resilience project is the Deeside CAN, which created a forest with the help of over 100 community members. The project was funded by the NESCAN hub’s seed fund and involved local schools and youth groups in discussions about climate change and biodiversity.

Additionally, the documentation describes how the NESCAN hub has held several events and engagements to promote climate resilience. For example, the hub’s involvement in the Community Resilience and Adaptation event in 2022 featured speakers and panellists from Adaptation Scotland, Climate Ready Aberdeenshire, and local adaptation and resilience groups. The NESCAN hub was similarly involved in a number of resilience planning and decision-making structures. For instance, the NESCAN hub was asked to be part of Aberdeenshire Council’s Community Resilience Strategy Working Group. Furthermore, the documentation outlines how the hub was actively involved in providing key adaptation and resilience-related information to stakeholders. For example, the hub co-created a Communities Climate Adaptation Route map with references to guide communities on their journey from gaining an understanding of climate change resilience and adaptation to taking action.

Stakeholders noted that the NESCAN hub has been a key player in building community resilience to climate change. For example, some respondents noted that, in the wake of severe weather events like Storm Arwen, the NESCAN hub proactively organised workshops on resilience planning, equipping communities with the knowledge to prepare for and adapt to similar future challenges. These workshops served as a direct response to the immediate and long-term impacts of climate change. Other stakeholders noted that the hub, in partnership with the Scottish Communities Climate Action Network (SCCAN), have provided training to enhance soft skills, such as facilitation and conflict resolution. This capacity building is seen as central to empowering individuals and communities to engage in meaningful discussions about climate resilience.

"They've built some resilience in terms of the capacity of the communities. So, bringing those communities together, getting them to understand accessing finance, implementing projects, I think that builds resilience within the kind of human side of those communities."

Several stakeholders also commented on the hub’s approach to integrating climate action with wider social and economic issues, thereby making climate resilience strategies more accessible and relevant to the broader community. They similarly note the language used by the hub in communicating climate issues and how the hub emphasises manageable actions that gradually build resilience.

"But they've been really careful about the messaging there. So, it's not about blaming people that don't have that agency to change it, but about supporting them […] to look at the things that they can do and the things they can change."

Output 6: Supporting regional response to climate change

The purpose of this output, shown in figure 9 below, is to assess whether the hub is playing a role in facilitating a broader regional response to climate change. A regional approach is typically significant for climate change response as actions which will have a larger footprint often require collaboration with a wider regional audience.

Output

Supporting regional response to climate change

Indicator

Evidence of the hub facilitating a coordinated approach to regional climate change response.

Figure 9: Output 6 Indicator Description

The NESCAN hub’s documentation notes that a core principle of the hubs is a regional outlook, which is demonstrated by the fact that the hub consists of a regional network of people and community-led organisations. The documentation also highlights that the hub aims to support and develop community-led climate action throughout Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire. Key examples of a regional approach in the hub documentation are the way in which the hub holds community climate assemblies in areas with little climate activity, the way the hub provides training and resources for climate literacy that can be applied across the region, and the support the hub provides to community-led climate change mitigation and adaptation projects, which leads to direct and indirect impacts at a regional level. An example is the Torry retrofit project, which targets the North East Scotland region. The documentation furthermore notes that the NESCAN hub collaborates with other regional hubs and networks to deepen connections and contribute to learning.

Stakeholders highlighted that the hub is facilitating a coordinated approach to regional climate change response by participating in meetings with the climate and sustainability officers from neighbouring councils. This forum is used to share key topics, learnings, and actions taken by each council regarding climate change. By being involved in forums, NESCAN is able to share experiences from other areas as well as provide a voice for the Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire communities in these forums. Stakeholders noted that the NESCAN hub is a key coordinator of a regional response to climate change by actively engaging diverse groups and stakeholders across sectors and geographical boundaries. For example, the hub has collaborated with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to foster carbon reduction and resilience through regional initiatives like the People, Planet, Pint and Pastry Network.

Stakeholders also noted that the hub advocates for interconnected strategies that consider the unique challenges of both urban and rural landscapes. The hub facilitates knowledge sharing among individuals with varied experiences, such as those from communities affected by different climate-related issues like heavy snow or flooding, thereby creating a shared understanding and tailored regional climate response.

"They do absolutely push that narrative. And when we talk, they're like, you can't do this. Just as a city, you sit within this huge rural landscape. [...] And they are saying, we really need a regional approach. We really need a regional approach."

Some stakeholders noted that the NESCAN hub has helped to overcome the challenge stakeholders face in directly contacting different areas of the Scottish Government. They note that the NESCAN hub is often the only link for community groups to engage with the government, even when issues are not directly related to climate change.

However, there was acknowledgement of the complexity within the funding landscape, suggesting a need for clarity and improved coordination to prevent duplication of efforts among the NESCAN hub and other organisations.

"The landscape of funding coordinators is getting confusing."

Outcome 3: The NESCAN hub is enabling potential future climate response to take place

This outcome seeks to evaluate the extent to which the NESCAN hub has not only supported effective climate action but additionally laid the groundwork for these actions to be sustained into the future. This outcome considers the hub's approach to supporting interventions that can be replicated, whether the hub is impacting policy and decision making and whether the hub is helping to unlock climate financing.

Output 7: Supporting replication and scaling up

This output, shown in figure 10 below, is intended to assess whether the hub is laying the groundwork for future climate change interventions to take place.

Output

Supporting replication and scaling up

Indicator

Evidence of the hub facilitating a climate change intervention pipeline for your community.

Figure 10: Output 7 Indicator Description

The NESCAN hub’s reports do not provide details of processes and activities that specifically intend to replicate and scale up existing initiatives. One example where the reports speak directly to replication is in the quarterly report for January 2022 – March 2022, which notes that one key objective during the pilot period was “To map, celebrate and prompt replication of local community-led climate action projects”. The reports do, however, highlight that the hub has created a publicly available database of projects and resources, including findings from project mapping events. This database provides details and lessons from various projects that stakeholders can use as a foundation when considering whether to replicate these initiatives within their communities.

Some stakeholders highlighted the Torry retrofitting project as an example of how the hub is facilitating the scaling up and replication of climate initiatives in communities across the region. Stakeholders noted that this project could be easily replicated in other regions as the technical elements have been resolved, and replication would just require funding and community buy-in support, areas that other hubs could be involved with.

“The best example would be the example of the retrofitting in Torry at the moment,...where the expertise was sitting...about 20 miles outside the city... a great worked example of a community retrofitting project which could be lifted and replicated elsewhere across the North East.”

However, some stakeholders noted that communities have their own unique challenges that need to be acknowledged. They suggested that not all initiatives could be directly “replicated”. They need to be adapted according to different communities' specific needs and circumstances. Stakeholders also noted that the successful expansion of initiatives hinges on the ability to attract a diverse group of stakeholders and secure adequate funding. They suggested that the NESCAN hub could explore new funding models that can support the sustainable growth of climate initiatives, ensuring they can be adapted and replicated to meet the varying needs of communities.

Output 8: Supporting policy input and decision-making

The purpose of this output, shown in figure 11 below, is to assess whether the hub's interventions are influencing policy input and decision-making processes. By providing informed contributions to policy discussions, the hub would aim to create an enabling environment where climate action can be effectively integrated into local governance, thereby securing the longevity and adaptability of its initiatives.

Output

Supporting policy input and decision-making

Indicator

Evidence of the hub activities resulting in an impact on local and national policy.

Figure 11: Output 8 Indicator Description

The hub’s reports outline a number of ways in which the hub has been supporting policy input and decision-making. An example is that participants of the community assemblies organised by the hub have been invited to present their ideas and priorities to the monthly Priority Neighbourhood Partnership meetings. This process provided a platform for community voices to be heard by decision-makers. Additionally, the documentation notes that the hub has worked with members to prepare community consultation responses on various topics, such as the Just Transition Fund, the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy, and the proposed Wellbeing & Sustainable Development Bill.

This active role in supporting policy input and decision-making was likewise highlighted by a number of stakeholders. Respondents noted the NESCAN hub acts as a bridge between the distinct interests of local communities and industrial sectors in areas heavily reliant on industries like oil, particularly in Aberdeen. They also noted that the hub has brought a broader range of community interests into focus within local governance, representing a shift in the inclusion of diverse perspectives in decision-making.

"From a position of supporting and advocating for policy consultation response, the work of the Network in terms of supporting its members to be active on policy has created an impact through encouraging participation in responses. "

Some stakeholders highlighted how the community climate assemblies aimed to encourage more climate action and engagement in areas where little had been done before. One of the outputs from the assemblies was a consolidated request to decision-makers about changes that communities wanted to see take place. Stakeholders also noted that the ideas and actions generated during these assemblies were being incorporated into the Local Outcome Improvement Plan (LOIP).

A respondent noted the NESCAN hub's strategic inclusion of a Member of Scottish Parliament on their board as an example of their commitment to integrating community voices into political processes. Collaboration with institutions like Aberdeen University has amplified marginalised voices in policy discussions, ensuring a diverse range of inputs in policy-making.

Stakeholders also noted the key role the hub played in the ‘empower’ component of the Net Zero Aberdeen climate plan. The hub led the process on the empowerment theme, which includes aspects such as community engagement and communication.

"They have brokered those really important conversations and made connections and raised awareness... NESCAN had a pivotal role in helping to challenge and shape the empowerment strategy within that wider Net Zero Aberdeen framework."

Output 9: Enabling access to climate finance

The last output, shown in figure 12 below, within the third sustainability-related outcome, is how much the hub is mobilising additional climate finance. By mobilising additional climate finance, there would be an increased probability of interventions being sustained in the future.

Output

Enabling access to climate finance

Indicator

Evidence of additional funding been unlocked with support from the hub.

Figure 12: Output 9 Indicator Description

The hub’s reports highlight the key role the hub has played in unlocking finance for climate interventions in Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire. This is primarily through support to the Just Transition Participatory Budgeting (JTPB) process and a separate initiative to provide seed funding to climate interventions. The NESCAN hub received funding to provide support for Aberdeen Council of Voluntary Organisations (ACVO) and Aberdeenshire Voluntary Action (AVA) to help run the Participatory Budgeting process. As co-administrators of this fund, the NESCAN hub was involved in distributing significant amounts of money across multiple local authority areas. The process also promoted participatory decision-making in distributing these funds. This included support to enable community groups to submit applications to the JTPB and to encourage community stakeholders to vote on applications to the fund. The purpose of the seed funding provided by the NESCAN hub was to support community climate action and biodiversity projects within Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire. The funding was aimed at projects that encourage sustainability, community climate action, a just transition, and projects that mitigate climate change and increase biodiversity.

Many stakeholders highlighted the key role the hub has played in improving access to funding for climate initiatives. Respondents noted the significant contribution the hub played in the co-administration of the JTPB Fund and how important this fund was as a catalyst for climate interventions in the area.

"The capacity building and support to organisations for the just transitions PB fund, we saw a number of organisations that weren't quite ready for year one who were actually given that development support and that capacity building support over the course between year one and into year two to be able to apply."

Many stakeholders highlighted the important role the hub played in creating awareness of existing funding opportunities. Several stakeholders also highlighted how the NESCAN hub has built their capacity to apply for and manage funding and provided targeted training around fund applications.

"We would not have been aware of this or been able to build a good application without NESCAN's support."

"Their workshops on fundraising were very helpful in seeking larger grant funding."

One stakeholder noted that the hub is involved in redirecting existing local authority funding to make it more targeted and effectively utilised, enhancing its impact.

Impact

In addition to the output indicators listed above, two impact indicators were developed to help better understand the overall impact of the hub. The first indicator, shown in figure 13 below, was aimed at assessing whether there was evidence of the hub facilitating a just transition. For the purpose of this evaluation, the definition of a just transition was adapted from the Scottish Just Transition Commission and defined as interventions that “ensure the benefits of climate change action are shared widely, while the costs do not unfairly burden those least able to pay”.

Indicator

Evidence of the hub supporting a just transition.

Figure 13: Impact Indicator 1 Description

The NESCAN hub’s reports and documentation note that a just transition is a core principle of what the hub is aiming to achieve. As a result, most of the hub’s activities could be considered as contributing to a just transition. However, the documentation provides some specific instances of the hub's involvement in driving a just transition. For example, the NESCAN hub’s involvement in the Just Transition Communities Project aims to develop tools and resources to help communities understand their local situation and take steps towards a just transition. As noted above, the hub plays a role in the JTPB Fund. The hub has been involved in various activities such as community assemblies, filmmaking, and climate-focused events to increase community engagement and empowerment in climate action. The hub furthermore provides support, advice, and training to community groups and individuals, helping them develop skills and knowledge in areas such as climate change, sustainability, and funding applications.

Stakeholders have noted that the NESCAN hub is fostering a just transition by employing an approach that includes broadening engagement through hybrid events, amplifying community voices, and leading research collaborations.

A key point from stakeholders is the role the hub is playing in amplifying local community voices. Stakeholders noted that the hub’s collaboration with major private sector partners on research projects underscores their commitment to integrating community perspectives into actionable just transition initiatives. Additionally, respondents noted that the NESCAN hub's leadership in the Just Transition Partnership project, particularly in youth engagement, highlighted their dedication to involving young people as key stakeholders in the climate transition.

"NESCAN have helped to provide a voice for that community... they're allowing structures to take place and people to step into that and to find a way to communicate what they see as their issues."

Stakeholders additionally noted that the NESCAN hub adopts an intersectionality approach, connecting climate action with social justice and inequality. They note that the hub has also helped diverse community groups align their projects within the just transition framework, ensuring local actions are part of broader sustainable change. Stakeholders have noted that the NESCAN hub’s events, accessible both online and in-person, have increased inclusivity for individuals with barriers such as childcare responsibilities. By ensuring that these events are open to all, the NESCAN hub facilitates equitable access to conversations about climate issues.

However, although these observations about improved access were made by stakeholders, there was no specific evidence in the hub’s documentation that demonstrates there has been an increased number of people who typically experience barriers attending these types of events.

The second impact indicator, shown in figure 14 below, is aimed at assessing the hub’s role in supporting wellbeing economies and community wealth building.

Indicator

Evidence of the hub supporting wellbeing economies and community wealth building

Figure 14: Impact Indicator 2 Description

The NESCAN hub’s documentation indicates that supporting wellbeing economies and community wealth building is also a core guiding principle of the hub’s activities. The documentation highlights how the NESCAN hub actively promotes and works towards sustainable places, and better life outcomes for people and communities. The documentation likewise describes how the hub facilitates the growth of strong, resilient, and proactive communities by connecting, supporting, representing, and promoting the third sector in Aberdeenshire.

The documentation similarly outlines how the NESCAN hub is part of various steering groups and bodies focused on climate action, fair food, and local resilience. Through their community development work, they promote the work of the NESCAN hub members at various events, forums, and meetings, which has led to the creation of new opportunities for collaboration and partnership.

In general, stakeholders were not that familiar with the concepts of “wellbeing economies” and “community wealth building”. Stakeholders did note that the key way in which the NESCAN hub fosters wellbeing economies and community wealth building is by distributing funds to third-sector organisations for impactful local projects. They noted that the hub empowers small organisations to innovate and take risks through seed funding, which are key elements of a wellbeing economy.

"And I think with some of the projects we've seen with NESCAN, there's a bit more awareness there about, well, let's try something a little bit different, let's do things in a different way. And I think that absolutely helps get people into the kind of wellbeing way of thinking rather than doing what we've always done."

Respondents noted that the hub’s focus extends beyond financial support to developing relationships that enhance community wellbeing and economic resilience, indicating an approach that values emotional support and local entrepreneurship. By way of example, the NESCAN hub promotes initiatives like bike reuse projects to connect local actions with broader networks, extending their impact beyond the initial target audience. Additionally, some stakeholders highlighted the hub’s engagement and capacity-building efforts, especially during challenging times like the COVID lockdown. They emphasise the importance of community engagement in addressing and overcoming issues, thereby laying the groundwork for more resilient and prosperous communities.