LGBT Capacity Building

In this survey the Equality Network is looking to gain a better picture of the community development and capacity building for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities taking place across Scotland. This research will be used to help support providers who are, have in the past or want to in the future, better support LGBT groups, people and communities. The survey is focused on providers who do not specifically provide services to LGBT communities, such as identity based providers, but provide services to communities in general. The research will also look at areas where no capacity building is taking place, and the reasons for this.

Research by the Big Lottery Fund, Equal Support (2010) shows that while there is a number of factors which influence the decision of an LGBT group / organisation to seek support from a provider the key factor is the quality of support, regardless of whether that organisation aims to meet the needs of groups organised by identity or are generic infrastructure agencies which aim to provide local support to all VCS groups in their area.

The Big Lottery research also asserts that there is a widespread perception that groups that share specific characteristics may need very specific types of support.

This survey will asses the current picture of capacity building and support provided for LGBT groups across Scotland and will be used to develop tools that generic providers can use in order to better support LGBT groups in future.