Open to all — no membership required
Aspiring development trusts — support for community groups in Scotland
Thinking about becoming a development trust in Scotland? DTAS can help you work out whether the development trust model is the right fit for your community group — and support you on the journey toward membership.
active aspiring development trusts currently working with us across Scotland
new membership applications received in 2025 to 2026
What is a development trust?
Development trusts are community-led organisations that take long-term responsibility for the wellbeing and development of their place. They’re independent, democratically governed, and focused on building lasting change — not just delivering projects.
They come in many shapes and sizes, but they share a commitment to community ownership, self-determination, and reinvesting any surplus back into the community. If that sounds like what your group is working toward, the development trust model might be worth exploring. Once you become a full DTAS member, you can access core member support, funding programmes, and crisis support.
Is the development trust model right for your community group?
The development trust model isn’t right for every community organisation — and that’s fine. We’ll always be honest with you about whether it’s a good fit. This service might be for you if:
You’re community-led
Your group is rooted in a specific place or community and wants to take long-term responsibility for its development — not just deliver a one-off project.
You’re thinking about governance
You’re at a stage where formalising your structure matters — or you’re already established and wondering whether a development trust approach would strengthen what you do.
You want to understand your options
You’re not sure whether to pursue DTAS membership, or what it involves — and you’d like an honest conversation before committing to anything.
You work with aspiring trusts
You’re a support agency or intermediary organisation working with community groups — we can help build your understanding of the development trust approach and DTAS membership.
How DTAS supports aspiring development trusts
Support is light-touch and progression-based — we work with you at the right pace and move on when the time is right. There are clear stages to the journey, with defined expectations at each point.
An initial conversation
An informal chat to explore whether the development trust model is appropriate for your group, and what DTAS membership involves. No commitment required.
Resources and guidance
Access to our start-up toolkit — templates, factsheets, and guidance to help you understand what’s involved in becoming a development trust in Scotland.
Connect with the network
Attend regional networking events, community learning exchanges, and the DTAS annual conference to meet existing development trusts and learn from their experience.
Progress toward membership
When you’re ready, your advisor will support you through the membership assessment process — helping you understand the criteria and what you need to demonstrate.
This service is open to everyone — you don’t need to be a DTAS member to access aspiring trust support. It’s designed for groups at the very beginning of the journey, right through to those who are almost ready to apply for membership.
What aspiring trust support doesn’t cover
Aspiring trust support is informational and light-touch. It’s not an intensive development service. Specifically, it doesn’t include:
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Writing constitutions, business plans or funding applications on your behalf -
Leading your group’s development or acting as a project manager -
Open-ended or unlimited support — there are clear stages and exit points to this service
Aspiring development trust FAQs
Already a DTAS member? Here’s what’s available to you
Core member support
Ongoing advisory support from a named advisor across all areas of your organisation’s development.
Crisis support
Intensive short-term support when your organisation is facing a serious financial, governance or reputational crisis.
Funding programmes
Three programmes to help members grow capacity, access emergency grants, or strengthen their foundations.