The Highland Council has launched a pilot of a new digital platform called BeConnected, aimed at helping community groups shape local investment by clearly linking projects to Area Place Plans across the region.
The tool is being trialled as an interactive online map that allows community groups to highlight priority projects in their area and make them visible to the council, funders, and potential partners.
The council says BeConnected is designed to support community led regeneration by offering a clearer, more transparent picture of grassroots activity across Highland.
Ken Gowans, Chair of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee, said:
“BeConnected is a significant step forward in how we support community led regeneration.
“The interactive map gives a live, transparent view of what’s happening across Highland.
“Not only will it help us target support where it’s most needed, but it will also ensure that funders have a clear picture of grassroots activity across Highland and can track the progress of emerging proposals.”
The pilot reflects a shift in how the council approaches regeneration funding and community investment.
The site can be accessed at – BeConnected Highland
In the past, funding such as the Community Regeneration Fund has largely been distributed through open calls for projects.
While that approach has supported many successful initiatives, the council acknowledges it has also led to oversubscription and disappointment for groups unable to secure funding.
The council says BeConnected is part of an evolving approach designed to better align funding decisions with locally identified priorities.
By linking projects directly to Area Place Plans, the platform aims to ensure investment is guided by community led evidence rather than competitive bidding alone.
The map allows projects to be visible even at early stages of development, helping groups who may not yet be ready to apply for funding.
Council officials say this visibility could also encourage collaboration between groups working on similar challenges or shared priorities.
BeConnected is intended to support groups at all stages, from early ideas through to delivery, rather than only those with fully developed proposals.
The council believes this approach will make regeneration funding more accessible, particularly for smaller or rural communities with limited capacity.
Community groups are being encouraged to explore the platform, review their Area Place Plan, and add their projects to the map.
The council says doing so will help ensure local priorities are visible to funders and decision makers as investment opportunities arise.
Support is available for groups who need help using the platform or understanding how it fits within the wider planning and funding landscape.
The pilot phase will be used to gather feedback from communities and refine how BeConnected is used across Highland.
For more information or support in using BeConnected, please contact BeConnected@highland.gov.uk
The council says the longer term aim is to build a shared, transparent picture of community ambition that strengthens local decision making and improves how public and third sector funding is targeted.
If successful, BeConnected could mark a significant change in how community investment is shaped across one of Scotland’s most diverse regions.
