The Economic Development Association Scotland (EDAS) and Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP) are hosting a major joint event, ‘Is Your Town Ready for Community Wealth Building?’, on November 19th. This timely session leads into a crucial week for the movement, as the Stage 1 Debate of the Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill takes place in the Scottish Parliament on Thursday, November 20th.
This legislation is a significant opportunity to fundamentally reshape Scotland’s economy, ensuring that people, place, and the environment drive decision-making to generate and keep wealth within local communities.
Putting CWB Principles into Practice
The event is designed to empower town leaders and innovators with the knowledge and tools needed to implement CWB. Attendees will join global and Scottish experts to understand why thriving towns are now more important than ever, and discover practical steps to embed CWB principles locally.
The session will feature key contributions from leading figures:
- Neil McInroy (EDAS Chair and global CWB thought leader) will provide essential context on the importance of towns and the practical application of CWB.
- An international perspective on CWB in action will be shared by Mayor Jaime Kinder (Mayor of Meadville, Pennsylvania).
- A Practitioner Panel will offer tangible “calls to action,” including insights from:
- Linda Gillespie (Head of Community Ownership Support, DTAS) on community-led assets.
- Alan Paul (Head of Property Services, Fife Council) on translating national strategy into local outcomes.
- Caroline Brown (Director for Scotland, Ireland and English Regions, RTPI) on spatial strategies for inclusion.
The event promises inspiring case studies, expert commentary, and an interactive Q&A to equip participants with the motivation to build resilient, inclusive local economies.
Action and Resources from EDAS
As the CWB Bill progresses through Parliament, EDAS remains committed to supporting the development community. We encourage all stakeholders to review our dedicated CWB video, featuring the expertise of our Chair, Neil McInroy.
If your town is ready to seize the opportunities presented by CWB, be sure to utilize the extensive information and resources available on our Centre for Excellence page.
