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Pauline Smith

@paulinedtas.bsky.social
131 followers 105 following 11 posts

Chief Exec at Development Trusts Association Scotland Follow DTAS work on the following: @dtascotland.bsky.social @communityownership.bsky.social @democraticfinance.bsky.social

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Reposted by Pauline Smith
Scottish Ecological Design Association @scotecodesign.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
Through community shares and collective ownership, Scots are now in a much better position to raise money and run locally-important shops and services themselves. @paulinedtas.bsky.social, chief executive of Development Trusts Association Scotland (@dtascotland.bsky.social), in @scotsman.com
scotsman.com
The democratic financial revolution that's saving community facilities across Scotland
Through community shares and collective ownership, people can raise money and run locally important shops and services themselves
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Pauline Smith @paulinedtas.bsky.social · 27/08/2025
Over 300 people/communities came together for this year's @DTAScotland annual conference. Truly great couple of days. More to follow but just a few snapshots from the last couple days #Inspiring #ThoughtProvoking #CommunityOwnership #LocalPeopleLeading
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Reposted by Pauline Smith
Development Trusts Association Scotland @dtascotland.bsky.social · 17/06/2025
DTAS Annual Conference 2025 Tuesday 26th & Wednesday 27th August 2025 – Glasgow Caledonian University We are excited to announce that Andy Wightman will be our keynote speaker. You can book your place on our Eventbrite page. 🔗https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1267132039039?aff=oddtdtcreator
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Pauline Smith @paulinedtas.bsky.social · 19/06/2025
The Scot Gov Public Service Reform Strategy is out. Encouraging on various levels and also lots of work to do! www.gov.scot/news/public-...
gov.scot
Public service reform strategy launched
Blueprint for enhancing lives and communities.
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Pauline Smith @paulinedtas.bsky.social · 04/06/2025
Brilliant @lesleyriddoch.bsky.social We have to DEMAND transformation in OUR infrastructure & power (in all forms!)The answers are here &clear..communities are leading the way Otherwise none of our potential is being realised. #DevelopmentTrusts @democraticfinance.bsky.social @cescotland.bsky.social
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Reposted by Pauline Smith
Community Ownership Support Service (COSS) @communityownership.bsky.social · 04/06/2025
Good news - uk.news.yahoo.com/160-old-inn-... @democraticfinance.bsky.social
uk.news.yahoo.com
160-year-old inn to reopen after being bought by community
One of Scotland’s newest community-owned pubs is getting set to open to the public in late summer after unveiling an ambitious plan of action.
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Reposted by Pauline Smith
Foundation Scotland @foundationscotland.bsky.social · 29/05/2025
The @regenfuturesfund.bsky.social puts decision-making power into the hands of those who are most often excluded. Hosted by Foundation Scotland, the £15 million fund will help tackle root causes of poverty, racism and climate change in Edinburgh. More info: tinyurl.com/wfhwmaw6
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Pauline Smith @paulinedtas.bsky.social · 27/05/2025
@EDAS conf, always love to hear Neil McInroy & Tom Arthur but @graceblakeley.substack.com was fantastic & looking forward to reading #VultureCapitalism. Alot to do but building on successes & opps we have excites me. Are economic goals, new local democratic structures & community impact aligning?
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Reposted by Pauline Smith
Development Trusts Association Scotland @dtascotland.bsky.social · 15/05/2025
Amazing news: as part of this DTAS has created a new £5 million Recovery & Resilience fund for our members over the next 2 yrs.The forward thinking of @foundationscotland.bsky.social means we can help DTAS members gain stability, build capacity & future-proof their operations/impact across Scotland
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Pauline Smith @paulinedtas.bsky.social · 15/05/2025
Great news for @dtascotland.bsky.social members.This new £5m fund will support development trusts across Scotland to recover from difficult times & most importantly strengthen their resilience, delivering essential community infrastructure & impact! Thank you @foundationscotland.bsky.social
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Reposted by Pauline Smith
Mariana Mazzucato @mazzucatom.bsky.social · 08/05/2025
What if our economies were designed around a clear objective: #HealthForAll? Today I'll share how purpose-oriented government can help structure economies to deliver on wellbeing at #WBEF2025 Reykjavik chaired by Gary Gillespie. Read more ➡️ www.who.int/publications...
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Reposted by Pauline Smith
Coral City Camera @coralcitycamera.bsky.social · 09/05/2025
Punk rock pufferfish! It’s not everyday we see a balloonfish spiked out like this! 🥳🐡 #balloonfish #pufferfish #longspineporcupinefish #diodonholocanthus #spikey #spines #punkrocker #coral #coralhead #coralcitycamera #miami #portmiami #biscaynebay #bfi #noaa #aoml #coralcity
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Future Economy Scotland @futureeconscot.bsky.social · 09/05/2025
Shetland secured community wealth from oil, and now the isles face rapid renewables growth. Our briefing examines how Shetland presents an early test case example for a just energy transition, providing insights for other communities:
futureeconomy.scot
Building or Extracting Community Wealth? Shetland as a Test for a Just Energy Transition
This briefing is adapted from the ‘Shetland, community benefit and energy transition’ report
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Reposted by Pauline Smith
Development Trusts Association Scotland @dtascotland.bsky.social · 01/05/2025
Our #DemocraticFinanceScotland legacy giving pilot is well underway. Read more about it in link below. @democraticfinance.bsky.social tfn.scot/news/good-wi...
tfn.scot
Good wills hunting - TFN
Community pilot targets legacy giving
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Reposted by Pauline Smith
Development Trusts Association Scotland @dtascotland.bsky.social · 01/05/2025
Local Democracy and Community Wealth from DTAS CEO, Pauline Smith "Were calling for our members and supporters to join us in making the change to local democracy real — loud, visible & impossible to ignore. More to follow! dtascot.org.uk/news-item/lo...
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Pauline Smith @paulinedtas.bsky.social · 26/04/2025
Really enjoyable and interesting day today on local democracy. @electoralreform.bsky.social
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Reposted by Pauline Smith
Development Trusts Association Scotland @dtascotland.bsky.social · 25/04/2025
Excited to anounce that four DTAS members are joining our Uk wide Trailblazers prog! Congratulations to #CranhillDevTrust, #CuparDevTrust, #DunoonDevTrust, and #EdinburghOldTownDevTrust. Orgs will be dismantling barriers, testing ideas and trying out new models. locality.org.uk/news/connect...
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Pauline Smith @paulinedtas.bsky.social · 15/04/2025
Looking forward to participating in this _ April 26th - Conference on the future of Scottish democracy *How can we take the debate about Scotland's constitutional future forward? *How can local democracy be more responsive to local communities? www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-scottish...
eventbrite.co.uk
A Scottish Spring: Building a Democracy fit for the 21st Century
A conference to discuss Scotland's democratic future.
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Reposted by Pauline Smith
Development Trusts Association Scotland @dtascotland.bsky.social · 10/04/2025
DTAS Annual Conference 2025! Tuesday 26th & Wednesday 27th August 2025 – Glasgow Caledonian University Bookings are now live for this year’s event! Visit our Eventbrite page to book. #DTAS25 We will also be returning to Trades Hall for dinner and entertainment (with a bar open till late).
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Reposted by Pauline Smith
Democratic Finance Scotland @democraticfinance.bsky.social · 11/04/2025
Last chance to invest in this stunning community enterprise, offer closes 21st April, check it out 👇 #DemocraticFinance #CommunityOwnership #morethanapub
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Development Trusts Association Scotland @dtascotland.bsky.social · 14/04/2025
Member The Pavillion celebrated their 25th anniversary in style, showcasing the great work they have done for the youth & community of Greater Easterhouse. They also unveiled exciting plan for the development of their facility and Blairtummock Park - stay tuned! Thanks for having us.
The image shows the location of the Pavillion, photos from the anniversary (a corridor with displays), plans for the redevelopment of the Pavillion and a slide from the anniversary slideshow.
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Reposted by Pauline Smith
Development Trusts Association Scotland @dtascotland.bsky.social · 14/04/2025
Thank you to Rosemount Development Trust for hosting our Glasgow Regional Gathering a few weeks ago. We visited some of the Trust's projects, including the Roystonhill Spire (saved through a campaign by local people), the Community Centre & the Rosemount Business Park. Thanks all for attending!
The picture shows the Rosemount DT logo, the Roystonhill Spire, mosaics and park, street art on walls, a park, and the Rosemount Business Park premises.
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Reposted by Pauline Smith
Development Trusts Association Scotland @dtascotland.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
Purpose documentary is coming to a screen near you! An inspiring documentary exploring how we can redesign our economy to deliver social justice on a healthy planet is coming to Scotland. 🔗For a full list of screenings visit - www.weallscotland.org/purpose-film
weallscotland.org
Purpose film | WEAll Scotland
This inspiring film follows the stories of Katharine Trebeck and Lorenzo Fioramonti as they work to transform our economy so that it puts people and planet first.
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Reposted by Pauline Smith
Wellbeing Economy Alliance Scotland @weallscotland.bsky.social · 05/03/2025
Our Purpose film tour of Scotland starts next week and there's still time to book your space. The inspiring documentary explores how the economy is at the heart of the problems we're facing from poverty to climate change. Find out more and book your ticket: www.weallscotland.org/purpose-film
Woman with blond hair looking out the window. Text in quotation marks that reads 'we need an economy in service of the kinds of lives that people want.' Katherine Trebeck
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Reposted by Pauline Smith
Community Ownership Support Service (COSS) @communityownership.bsky.social · 05/03/2025
Great to see this opening - www.stirling.gov.uk/news/new-com... @dtascotland.bsky.social
stirling.gov.uk
New community hub brings opportunities to people of Killin
A former Co-op supermarket is at the centre of Killin life again after re-opening as a vital community hub.
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Reposted by Pauline Smith
Community Energy Scotland @cescotland.bsky.social · 05/03/2025
Great to hear @patrickharvie.bsky.social speaking in Scottish Parliament about #communityenergy. He called for: 🎯 A target for 100% community-owned energy 1️⃣ Priority access to land for community energy 🌬️ Support for community wind farms to repower communityenergyscotland.org.uk/wp-content/u...
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Reposted by Pauline Smith
Development Trusts Association Scotland @dtascotland.bsky.social · 25/02/2025
Two opportunities next week to have your say on the Scottish Government consultation on Community Benefits from renewables - Tues 4th Mar 6pm - DTAS members only - bit.ly/3QxCbz9 Thurs 6th Mar 2pm - @scalliance.bsky.social event (open to members of SCA, DTAS, CLS and CES) - bit.ly/3EU1Qja
eventbrite.co.uk
Have Your Say: DTAS Consultation on Community Benefit Funds
This event is for DTAS members interested in feeding into our Scottish Government consultation response on CBFs from Renewable Energy.
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Reposted by Pauline Smith
Development Trusts Association Scotland @dtascotland.bsky.social · 25/02/2025
📢 DTAS Deep Dive Case Study: Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust Have a read of how our member in the North Highlands has transformed the area through ownership of assets, job creation and encouraging sustainable lifestyles and addressing food poverty. Have a read here! lnkd.in/eeSEJvQ7
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Pauline Smith @paulinedtas.bsky.social · 25/02/2025
A great day participating in the #DTNorthernIreland @devtrustsni.bsky.social All Ireland, Collaboration and Transformation conference. Lots of great networking and sharing.
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Reposted by Pauline Smith
Andy Wightman @andywightman.scot · 05/02/2025
BLOG - Is Gresham House the 3rd largest landowner in Scotland? andywightman.scot/2025/02/is-g...
andywightman.scot
Is Gresham House the third largest landowner in Scotland? - Land Matters
Gresham House Ltd. a private limited company (No. 00000871) incorporated in 1857. It is an asset management company wholly owned by SeedBidCo Ltd, a company registered in Guernsey. The ultimate contro...
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Democratic Finance Scotland @democraticfinance.bsky.social · 30/01/2025
👀 #CommunityEnergy in-person event. Hurry, tickets going fast! @dtascotland.bsky.social members go FREE! Check your registered inbox for discount code.
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Development Trusts Association Scotland @dtascotland.bsky.social · 30/01/2025
SAVE THE DATE! 📅 DTAS Annual Conference 2025 26th and 27th August. Glasgow Caledonian University Save the date and join us at this year’s conference! Bookings open March 2025.
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Reposted by Pauline Smith
Democratic Finance Scotland @democraticfinance.bsky.social · 12/12/2024
Community Shares investment opportunity! Check it out! 👀 Morebattle, in the Scottish Borders, is seeking to buy their local pub and create a thriving hub for their local community. Non-resident investors welcome too 😊 #morethanapub @plunkettuk.bsky.social www.facebook.com/profile.php?...
facebook.com
Redirecting...
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Reposted by Pauline Smith
Development Trusts Association Scotland @dtascotland.bsky.social · 15/01/2025
Unst Partnership Ltd operates the Unst Partnership Charity Shop, which aims to provide affordable furniture/goods and reduce waste. They are also working on the Unst Community Action Plan to identify future projects of benefit to their community. Thanks to Gordon for having us!
This pictures show the main activities of Unst Partnership Ltd, mainly the Unst Partnership Charity Shop, which aims to provide affordable furniture/goods and reduce waste.

It also shows a snapshot of the survey for the Unst Community Action Plan to identify future projects of benefit to their community.
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Reposted by Pauline Smith
Development Trusts Association Scotland @dtascotland.bsky.social · 14/01/2025
North Yell Development Council uses funds from the windfarm they own to invest into community projects, including a marina redevelopment, a popular lunch club and the busy community shop the Trust just took ownership of! Thank you to Alice for meeting with us!
The image shows two of the North Yell Development council's main projects: the community shop they just took ownership of and the industrial estate building they aim to redevelop.
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Reposted by Pauline Smith
Development Trusts Association Scotland @dtascotland.bsky.social · 13/01/2025
This week, we are highlighting Shetland members! 1st up is Community Development Company of Nesting - we visited the Aald Skül Enterprise & Scrapstore Projects, hosting a gym, offices, a scrapstore, a business & polycrubs. Up next: work on priorities identified in their 10-year plan.
The image shows pictures of the various part of Community Development Company of Nesting's project: the Aald Skül, the gym, the polycrubs, the scrapstore.
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Community Ownership Support Service (COSS) @communityownership.bsky.social · 13/01/2025
Interesting toolkit - really like idea that it goes beyond the tools - www.shareable.net/new-toolkit-...
shareable.net
New toolkit from Shareable will help you start (and grow) a Library of Things in YOUR community
Libraries of Things (often referred to as LoTs) are community hubs that facilitate the sharing of a wide range of items. Operating on the familiar model
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Lesley Riddoch @lesleyriddoch.bsky.social · 12/12/2024
Highland councillors want Scotland’s largest council broken up & a review to see how smaller councils cd work. A motion debated today says the current huge council was ‘forced on’ the area 30 years ago in ‘nothing more than an experiment.’ This needs to happen. www.localgov.co.uk/Call-to-brea...
localgov.co.uk
Call to break up Scotland’s largest council | LocalGov
Highland Council members have called for the local authority, Scotland’s largest by geographical area, to be broken up.
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Pauline Smith @paulinedtas.bsky.social · 06/12/2024
Even just after 1 night scrolling...very glad to have stopped Twitter and moved here! #positivity
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Community Ownership Support Service (COSS) @communityownership.bsky.social · 28/11/2024
Scottish Government has published their stats for Community Ownership in Scotland 2023 - bit.ly/4i8JJVE As at December 2023 - there are 840 assets in community ownership owned by 533 groups. These cover an area of 208,597 hectares = 2.7% of the total land area of Scotland. Still much to do!
bit.ly
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Community Ownership Support Service (COSS) @communityownership.bsky.social · 02/12/2024
Great to see this asset transfer over the line - nen.press/2024/11/28/d...
nen.press
Duncan Place ownership transferred to the Leith community
Following years of uncertainty and possible demolition, the asset transfer between the City of Edinburgh Council and the management team and board of trustees of Duncan Place has recently completed…
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Democratic Finance Scotland @democraticfinance.bsky.social · 22/11/2024
Want to know what are other European countries doing when it comes to Community Energy - then have a read of this Triodos article. www.pioneerspost.com/news-views/2...
pioneerspost.com
Opinion: Why we must unlock the potential of community-led energy
Triodos Bank's Whitni Thomas says we have an opportunity to democratise our energy system – but governments and financial institutions must step up to unlock the full potential of community-led energy...
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Pauline Smith @paulinedtas.bsky.social · 06/12/2024
Spent the day last week with the outstanding and impactful #HuntlyDevelopmentTrust and #BoyndieDevelopmentTrust @dtascotland.bsky.social members. Great discussions on #employability, #training, #funding, #challenges, #opportunities and most of all people. What a difference they are making!
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Development Trusts Association Scotland @dtascotland.bsky.social · 05/12/2024
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