Community Planning Aberdeen has officially launched its new Local Outcome Improvement Plan (LOIP) 2026–2036, alongside three distinct Locality Plans, establishing a coordinated long-term vision to foster a fairer city where all residents can succeed regardless of their individual backgrounds or circumstances.

During the launch on Thursday 11 June, members of Community Planning Aberdeen also formally approved a declaration affirming their commitment to community cohesion. The declaration emphasises transforming Aberdeen into an environment where everyone feels secure, connected, and capable of participating in civic life. The full statement can be read here.

The 10-year strategies are the culmination of a year-long collaborative process between public bodies, local communities, and citizens. Together, they establish a framework for what life in Aberdeen should look like over the coming decade, outlining how partner organisations will coordinate to narrow the inequality gap and enhance living outcomes for all.

Professor Shantini Paranjothy, Director of Public Health at NHS Grampian and Vice Chair of the Board of Community Planning Aberdeen, stated: "The Local Outcome Improvement Plan and Locality Plans demonstrate the strength of partnership working across the city. By bringing together the knowledge, expertise and resources of organisations and communities, we can focus on what will make the greatest difference both city-wide and locally. By making it easier for people to access the support they need when they need it, we can help reduce inequalities and build stronger, more resilient and cohesive communities."

The newly introduced LOIP targets five specific priority areas for systemic change:

• Improving childhood experiences and outcomes for vulnerable young people.

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• Creating fairer working lives and access to work for all.

• Reducing poverty and homelessness.

• Strengthening community influence and creating a more sustainable city.

• Reducing preventable deaths.

These focal points are backed by comprehensive data analysis, professional expertise, and the direct lived experiences of local citizens, ensuring the strategy corresponds with contemporary realities in the city. Confronting inequality and advancing inclusion are positioned at the core of these targets. The partnership stressed that racism, discrimination, and hate have no place in Aberdeen, and measures to combat these issues will be fully integrated across all delivery operations.

In tandem with the overarching city-wide strategy, three tailored Locality Plans for the North, Central, and South areas define how partner organisations will collaborate closely with local residents to deliver targeted, localised enhancements. Formulated in accordance with the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015, these frameworks supersede the previous LOIP 2016–2026 and Locality Plans 2021–2026.

Both the city-wide LOIP and regional Locality Plans were informed by a broad public consultation phase executed throughout 2025. Over 3,000 individuals submitted feedback through the Your Place, Your Plans, Your Future engagement programme, with perspectives captured via surveys, public events, and targeted outreach across 98 distinct groups, educational facilities, and community environments.

A definitive consensus from the public feedback indicated that residents desire a fairer city where foundational needs are satisfied, socio-economic opportunities are reachable, and communities possess an expanded voice in directing their future.

A core tenet of the new framework is a commitment to co-design. Acknowledging that systemic challenges like poverty and inequality cannot be solved by any singular agency in isolation, partners are pledged to work hand-in-hand with local communities to generate impactful, lasting progress.

The strategy utilises the principle of proportionate universalism—directing supplementary support toward the demographics experiencing the highest levels of disadvantage, while simultaneously upholding high-quality service standards for the general populace. This methodology includes improving accessibility to assistance, providing better-integrated public services, and reinforcing a focus on preventative measures and early intervention.

By the year 2036, the partnership intends to establish a city characterised by minimised inequalities, more balanced opportunities, and longer, healthier, and happier lives for its population.

A promotional video has also been created by Aberdeen City Council, with production assistance from the Aberdeen Youth Movement, to showcase the core objectives of the LOIP 2026–2036. For further details, or to learn how to get involved, interested parties can contact [email protected].

Community Planning Aberdeen comprises 12 principal public service entities. The partnership includes Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeen City Health & Social Care Partnership, ACVO, NHS Grampian, Nestrans, North East Scotland College, Police Scotland, Robert Gordon University, Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Skills Development Scotland, and the University of Aberdeen, working in tandem with the Third Sector, businesses, and local communities.