About Smart Community Fife

Smart Community Fife is a small independent charity based in Strathmiglo, Fife.

The organisation came to be after a 2004 Scottish Enterprise project aimed at supporting Scotland to become a 'leading digital nation' revealed Howe of Fife communities were interested in embracing broadband technology and forming a 'Smart Community' within Fife.

Big Lottery Fund stepped in to support the project in 2007 and we are funded by them until 2010. Whilst we would love the portal to be financially self-sufficient, it is anticipated that we will need to seek funding from a variety of commercial and grant making sources to keep the site fully functioning long-term.

What is a 'Smart Community?'

A Smart Community is one that provides advanced communication and information infrastructure to enable residents and organisations make good and independent use of, and gain benefit from, advanced telecommunications networks (in this case broadband.)

Our Vision

To develop a community-sustained portal that will 'knock your socks off'.

Our Mission

To create and develop a web portal that is a community-driven information source (i.e. information will be provided by the community for the community). The portal will be be relevant, responsive, accessible and meet the developing needs of our communities. It will also promote our communities to a global audience.

We will do this by working in partnership with key stakeholders, partners and providers. We will do this openly, honestly, responsibly and in the spirit of community.

Amongst other things, we hope the site will evolve to support and enable:
- easier access to information for local people
- business and economic development
- tourism development
- simpler delivery of public services
- learning, education and training
- preservation of cultural heritage and development of the arts
- a healthier community
- the administration of local government

Who are Smart Community Fife?

The organisation's Steering Group is made up of committed Howe residents who believe the project will benefit the lives of all those living, working and playing in the Howe of Fife. The hard-working Steering Group are all volunteers who have committed much time and energy to the development of the portal.

They are
Peter Winterborn, Strathmiglo - chair@smartcommunityfife.org.uk
Andy Heer, Auchtermuchty - vicechair@smartcommunityfife.org.uk
Marilyn Workman, Falkland - secretary@smartcommunityfife.org.uk
Ewan Jardine, Freuchie - treasurer@smartcommunityfife.org.uk
Yvonne Gray, Letham - yvonne@smartcommunityfife.org.uk
Monique Sanders, Giffordtown - monique@smartcommunityfife.org.uk

Smart Community Fife also has a part-time project co-ordinator: Jillian Donnachie - jill@smartcommunityfife.org.uk
and a part-time content administrator: Elaine Campbell - elaine@smartcommunityfife.org.uk

SCF News

Thanks to those who attended the Smart Community Fife AGM on 12 Nov 09 at Giffordtown Village Hall. All went well and we're delighted to report some great results - especially the increase in the number of visitors the portal has received over the past 12 months. So we can keep you up to date with what we've achieved, we've recorded some of our milestones below...click to read (pdf opens in new window)

Milestones years 1 & 2
Milestones year 3
Read what some of our recent contributors have had to say about the portal on our testimonials page.

Get involved

We're always looking for new volunteers, particularly people working or living in the communities we support who may be interested in joining our Steering Group. Monthly meetings are open to the community and we urge you to come along and find out more. Please contact chair@smartcommunityfife.org.uk for dates / times. Thanks.