You can find the answers to some FAQs about the community partnership project we are leading to find a sustainable future for the Gorgie City Farm site below. The project is still in the early stages so we may not have all the answers that you are looking for and we are adding to this page as questions arise.
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What role will EVOC play in the future of Gorgie City Farm?
- EVOC has agreed to manage a community led project to find a sustainable future for the site.
- EVOC’s role will be to work with the local community and all stakeholders, not to run a farm.
- EVOC has no vested interest in the future of any activity on the site and will step away at the end of the project.
Why has EVOC been chosen to be part of this project?
- EVOC is one of three partners that make up Edinburgh’s TSI (Third Sector Interface), helping to support the city’s community and voluntary sector, developing robust solutions and approaches that underpin strong organisations.
- EVOC has a long history of offering advice and support to community and voluntary organisations of all sizes. We help them to get established, to grow and unfortunately sometimes also to close – it is a core principle of our work.
- EVOC has lots of experience using community development principles to build projects that meet the needs of people and communities – these principles are empowerment, human rights, inclusion, social justice, self-determination and collective action. EVOC’s values include a commitment to being creative, collaborative, enabling, excellence, fair, inclusive and supportive.
Why is EVOC interested in the future of Gorgie City Farm?
- EVOC has been supporting the people and communities of Edinburgh since 1868. We do this by helping to develop and promote the interests and work of voluntary and community organisations across the City.
- EVOC understands that the site is very important to the Gorgie and wider Edinburgh community, the many people who have visited, volunteered or worked there, as well as the City of Edinburgh Council.
- EVOC is committed to supporting people, groups and organisations to work together to build a long-term future for the site.
What will happen to Gorgie City Farm in the next 12 months?
- EVOC is signing a month to month rolling lease for the site, helping to keep it in working order until a decision on it’s a future can be made – the lease can end at any time if a plan for the future of the site is agreed.
- EVOC will use some of the office space on the site as part of that lease.
- The Partnership Steering Group will look at other ways the site could be used by people and communities in the city during the next 12 months.
Who will make decisions about the future of Gorgie Farm?
- Any decision about the future of Gorgie City Farm site will be made by the Partnership Steering Group and the City of Edinburgh Council.
- EVOC has the role of ‘honest broker’ and will have no say on the future of the site, but will support a collaborative and community led future.
- See the project management structure below for more information.
Who will get the chance to have a say on the future of Gorgie Farm?
- The 12-month project will include lots of different opportunities for people, communities, groups and organisations in Edinburgh (and further afield) to share ideas, experiences and influence the future of the site.
- The Gorgie City Farm Steering Group and Project Manager will decide what opportunities happen when and will be publicly advertised in a number of different ways. This will include the websites and social media of EVOC and the City of Edinburgh Council.
Why did Gorgie City Farm have to close?
- EVOC cannot comment on the running of Gorgie City Farm in the run up to its recent closure.
- EVOC is focused on working with people, communities, groups and organisations across the city to find a way for the site to succeed moving forward.
- Anyone interested in finding out about the organisation that ran Gorgie City Farm for the past 2 years can visit the OSCR website.
How do I support the future of Gorgie City Farm or ask a question not included in these FAQs?
- If you are interested in being directly involved in any future plans for the site, please get in touch: [email protected]
- Please be aware that plans are at a very early stage for this project, but if you have a question not covered by these FAQs then you are welcome to email us using the email above
Partnership Steering Group
Chaired by a member of the EVOC Board (will not vote on any decisions relating to the future of the site).
Current Steering Group representatives come from:
- City of Edinburgh Council
- Edinburgh Social Enterprise
- Edinburgh Zoo
- EVOC
- Gorgie Forum
- Volunteer Edinburgh
Programme Manager
Report to the Steering Group, be hosted by EVOC and be in post for the length of the project.
EVOC is working to make an interim appointment to this role to keep the project moving before publicly advertising the position.
Caretaker
Report to the Programme Manager, be hosted by EVOC and be in post for the length of the project.
EVOC has appointed an interim Caretake until the permanent position can be publicly advertised.
