We’ll make it easier for people across Scotland, including those less likely to take part, to engage with Parliament’s work in ways that suit them, share what matters in everyday life, and see the difference their voice makes to the decisions that affect us all.
Parliament belongs to the people of Scotland. People have told us they want simpler ways to get involved, to have more of a voice in decision-making, and clearer information about what Parliament does and how it affects their lives. We’ve listened, and we’ll keep listening. This Strategy sets out how we’ll open up Parliament’s work, remove barriers to participation, and be clear about how public views help shape what happens next.
Members are at the heart of parliamentary democracy. We’ll support them to connect with people across Scotland through better tools, stronger partnerships, and more consistent engagement in the ways and places people choose. That could mean clearer updates on inquiries and bills, more accessible events, and more opportunities for people to share their experiences at the right time. All of this will help bring a wider range of voices and experiences into Parliament’s scrutiny and decisions.
This Strategy is your invitation to take part. Tell us what matters most to you, and share your everyday experiences, so that your perspectives can help shape the work of Parliament. We’ll show how your input is considered, including what we heard, what we did with it, and why. Scrutiny and the creation of laws are most effective when they are grounded in the realities of people’s lives.
Lorna Hunter Director of People, Communications, and Inclusion
Public engagement is one of the ways Parliament supports Members and Committees to listen to people and involve them in parliamentary work. This Strategy sets out our long-term direction and priorities. It is deliberately high-level and will be supported by a delivery plan and measures that set out actions, responsibilities, milestones, and how we will track success, so people can see what is happening and the difference it is making.
Our aim is simple:
Parliament should be shaped by the people of Scotland, wherever they live, and whatever their background.
We’ll make sure voices from every part of Scotland are reflected in our work, especially from people and communities who are less likely to take part. That means removing practical barriers, meeting people in their own settings, and offering trusted, accessible ways to get involved. We’ll also close the loop by showing what we heard and how it informed Parliament’s work, so people can see the difference their involvement makes.
Parliament’s work touches people’s everyday lives, so it’s important that decisions are informed by real experiences from across Scotland. When Members and Committees connect directly with the public, they can better understand how proposals might affect different communities in practice. Public engagement also helps Parliament work more visible, accessible and easier to understand. Public expectations, communities and the ways people engage continue to evolve.
To remain relevant and effective, Parliament must
This commitment to ongoing improvement and renewal will help ensure engagement remains inclusive, meaningful and responsive to the needs of Scotland’s people and communities.
Done well, public engagement leads to better informed scrutiny and debate, stronger evidence for decision-making, and a Parliament that feels more open, transparent and connected to the people it serves.
We’ll use six principles to guide how we engage:
As we deliver this Strategy, people across Scotland will be able to:
These six commitments set out what we’ll focus on to strengthen public engagement across Parliament.
1. Public voice: We’ll provide clear, accessible information and straightforward ways for people to share what matters to them. Through engaging content, education, and targeted work with diverse communities, we’ll make participation easier, more inclusive, and more meaningful.
2. Community outreach: Not everyone can visit Holyrood. We’ll create more local, community-based ways to get involved in parliamentary work by meeting people where they live, work, and gather. These opportunities will make it easier to learn, contribute, and take part in scrutiny.
3. Under 16s: We’ll help under 16s understand how democracy works and support them to have their voices heard and to take part, ensuring they can see how their views influence decisions that affect their lives.
4. Partnerships: We’ll work with trusted organisations and community groups across Scotland to broaden our reach, so that people and communities who are less likely to participate can influence parliamentary work. By focusing on where Parliament adds value and reducing duplication, we’ll create simpler, more effective routes for people to contribute.
5. Culture change: Public engagement is a shared responsibility across Parliament. Members, their teams, and parliamentary staff will be supported to engage confidently and inclusively, while recognising the unique role of elected representatives. A more consistent and visible approach will strengthen Parliament’s connection with communities.
6. Data and insight: We’ll improve how we collect, analyse, and share insight so engagement is more transparent, consistent, and evidence led. We’ll use shared standards for gathering and reporting data to understand who takes part, whose voices are missing, how to remove barriers, and how contributions influence parliamentary work.
We’ll modernise how we engage, improve our digital tools, and better connect work at Holyrood, online, and in communities so it feels like one joined-up, accessible service.
We’ll monitor and evaluate engagement using consistent, evidence-based methods. This will help us understand what works, where barriers persist, and how engagement can be more inclusive and more impactful.
We’ll report findings clearly, showing how views and experiences have shaped scrutiny and decisions. We’ll use evidence, feedback and insight to continually improve how engagement is planned, delivered and evaluated, ensuring our approach remains relevant, effective and responsive to changing needs and expectations.
We’ll provide updates on progress against the delivery plan, so people can see what has changed. Insights from monitoring and evaluation will guide future delivery phases, support ongoing renewal, and strengthen Parliament’s connection with communities.
People can take part in Parliament’s work by: