Scottish Community Broadcasting Network

The Scottish Community Broadcasting Network (SCBN) was established in the autumn of 2007 with an aim to support community radio projects in Scotland. The Scottish Community Broadcasting Network’s current membership works together to provide support, advice and guidance to communities who are interested in community radio. Working on shared issues such as funding, practice sharing and training the group raises awareness of the important role of community radio in Scotland’s communities and to explore alternative ways of broadcasting effectively to communities of interest and geographical communities. Core to the success of this community radio network is a commitment to capacity building and to develop appropriate learning programmes to support volunteer development and participation. In the UK, community radio stations are licensed by regulator Ofcom (Office of Communications). Ofcom defines community radio as broadcasting licences for small-scale, not-for-profit radio stations operated for the good of members of the public, or of particular communities, and in order to deliver social gain. The licenses are awarded by Ofcom following a formal application process. Not all applicants are awarded a licence to broadcast.