Scotland’s Improvement Districts (SIDs) is the national programme supporting the development and success of improvement districts across Scotland. Delivered by Scotland’s Towns Partnership with support from the Scottish Government, SIDs works with existing BIDs, groups exploring new districts, local authorities and national partners.
Our work covers every stage of an improvement district’s development and operation.
Developing new districts
We help local groups explore the BID model, build partnerships, consult businesses, prepare business plans and proposals, secure development funding and work towards a ballot. We also support new approaches to improvement districts that reflect the needs of different places and sectors.
Supporting established districts
We provide direct, practical support on renewals, governance, levy arrangements, local authority relationships and the challenges that arise during delivery. This includes reviewing plans and documents, helping teams work through specific issues and connecting them with relevant experience elsewhere in the network.
Strengthening the network
SIDs brings together BID managers, boards and chairs to share knowledge and tackle common challenges. We deliver training, develop practical resources and support stronger governance through the SIDs accreditation programme.
Building evidence and shaping policy
We gather information from districts across Scotland to understand their collective contribution and the issues affecting them. We use that evidence to represent the sector, work with the Scottish Government and partners, and contribute to improvements in how BIDs are developed, governed and supported.
SIDs combines national coordination with hands-on support for individual places. Our aim is to help improvement districts operate effectively, demonstrate their impact and deliver the priorities identified by their local communities.
Explore our case studies to see that work in practice, or visit Member Resources for guidance, templates and examples.
