About DTA Scotland

DTA Scotland was established in 2003 following feasibility work carried out by Senscot and the Association of Small Towns in Scotland (ASTIS), and with the support of the DTA. (now Locality)

The Organisation

DTA Scotland is set up as a Company Ltd by Guarantee No. 244853 and a Scottish registered Charity No. SC034231.  We are a member-led organisation with a board of directors elected from its membership and a small staff team based in 54 Manor Place, Edinburgh. Although the size of the core staff team has increased slightly since 2003, in organisational terms DTA Scotland is committed to remaining small at the centre, and instead utilising the strengths and skills of our members to help deliver the development work of the organisation. This includes the innovative approach of commissioning member trusts to deliver outreach work in the remoter parts of Scotland. DTA Scotland currently contracts Northmavine Community Development Company and Sleat Community Trust to enhance the DTA Scotland presence and deliver support in the Shetland Islands and Skye and Lochalsh respectively.

Membership

Since 2003, membership of DTA Scotland has grown quickly and by the end of Mar 2011 stood at 170 full and provisional members, with40 associate members. While the majority of the membership has historically come from rural communities, through concentrated focus on the more urban areas and the profile of DTA Scotland becoming more widespread, the development trust approach has proven increasingly popular and there is now a diverse range of urban, small town, rural and island communities within the current membership. 

Funding

Currently, the two core funders of the organisation are the Scottish Government’s Third Sector Division and the BIG Lottery, through their Inclusive and Dynamic Communities programme. As part of a sustainability strategy, DTA Scotland is committed to expanding its earned income, and the Pool, DTA Scotland’s consultancy service, was established in 2009, within this context.

Key Partners

DTA Scotland has a close working relationship with our sister organisation Locality (was DTA) in England and together with DTA Wales and the newly formed DT Northern Ireland there is now a UK wide network with over 450 members. All full members of DTA Scotland automatically receive membership of the UK-wide Association. DTA Scotland is a key member of the Scottish Community Alliance and we work closely with a number of other community networks. 

Aims 

DTA Scotland’s vision is to have a successful development trust in every community that wants one
To achieve this DTA Scotland will address itself to four key areas of activity:

1.  Encouraging the growth of new development trusts
2.  Support and strengthening established development trusts
3.  Promoting and representing the interests of development trusts
4.  Reflecting the democratic wishes and aspirations of our membership and running our own organisation efficiently and transparently.