The Common Ground Forum (CGF) is a cross-section of individuals and organisations connected to upland deer management in Scotland, who practise a more collaborative approach to deer management, based on mutual respect and consensus building,  to move towards a greener, healthier and economically vibrant future. Formed in 2023,  the CGF plays a unique role by providing a platform for some of the more challenging conversations that need to take place if the sector is to move towards a future of integrated and sustainable deer management. Using civic mediation methodology, it helps to build trust and relationships between people to help them work better together, finding solutions to deer management that can be implemented effectively on the ground for the benefit of people, nature and the climate.

The Common Ground approach is working for those so far engaged, but we now need to work on expanding the reach of the CGF to reach a critical mass, widen the impact of our work and embed on-going research findings to create a lasting legacy. Key to this will be developing a communications strategy to deliver our messaging and producing a suite of resources to help inform and educate practitioners.

The grant objective is to engage a contractor who will:

• develop a comprehensive communication and messaging strategy aimed at promoting and demonstrating the effectiveness of the Common Ground Forum
• create several case studies showing tangible benefits of the CGF approach for people on the ground, including collaboration examples across the sector