Support in Scotland
We're preparing the next cohort of women entering Scottish politics, and we want you to be a part of it.
With local elections taking place next May, now is the time to be getting active in politics. Explore whether becoming a councillor could be right for you, and plan how to get there with Elect Her’s free resources and support.
Only 35% of current councillors in Scotland are women. This is not enough. If you care about your local community, enjoy helping others and creating positive change, or think that lived experience and real life skill sets should inform policy making, then you’re exactly what our political systems need.
Whether you’re politically active right now or not - we will provide you with the resources to help you understand what local politics truly is and how you can make a real difference.
Across 2026, we have incredible programmes and self-led resources lined up to take you from Ready to Get Involved to Getting Ready to Stand in May 2027, so you can be the one to make a change.
Dive into more detail with our self-led guide.
We’ve gathered everything you need to know into one accessible guide. Learn more of the practicalities, eligibility and frequent concerns women have about becoming a councillor here.
Get Involved with a Political Party
Choosing to join a political party, or making the choice to stand as an independent candidate, is one of the first major steps in getting involved in politics. Look through our handbooks to see which party is right for you and your values, and understand the support and resources each party has, plus their specific selection process for when you are ready to stand.
My Political Future will take you on a three part journey as you map out the next steps towards becoming a councillor. If you've made the decision to get politically active and want to understand what steps to take to make that a reality, this self-led resource will help you reflect on your passions and create an action plan towards elected office, learning from the experiences of others and Elect Her’s resources.
Our Peer Support Circles are the perfect way to connect with other women as you explore your pathway into politics together.
“To hold your hand up and say ‘I would like to stand’ felt like a huge step forward and also quite a large step into the dark. Taking part in Peer Support Circles turned on the light and helped me to clearly see the types of self development that I would need to undertake on the journey to pursuing candidacy.”
Build a community network of aspiring candidates across Scotland whilst planning your political pathway. This 7-week course with peers from across the political spectrum will help you hone the personal skills and strengths you have ready to put yourself forward for selection and election. Our 13th Cohort will take place in Autumn 2026.
Ready to make a change?
Sign up today to get involved and we’ll send you all of our free resources, as well as regular reminders for upcoming events and words of encouragement. You’ll be the first to know once our Peer Support Circles Cohort 13 applications go live, too.
Once you're ready to turn your ideas into action, we'll help you prepare for Selection and Election.
Our Equip Her programme is designed to provide you with all you need to run your own candidate campaign. From putting yourself forward for selection, to door knocking days before polling, we have compiled all the information you need to plan, budget and deliver an election campaign. Our series of live training sessions will launch Winter 2026.
Already in elected office? We’re here to help you consider if re-standing for another term is right for you.
“The Elect Her coaching programme helped me take stock of what I had already achieved, tamed my imposter syndrome and anxiety, helped me look at things from a different perspective and take different approaches. By the last session, I was much more confident and comfortable in my role.”
If you’re a current councillor, our 6-month pro-bono coaching programme is ready to support you to reflect on your term to date, whether you want to put yourself forward at the next election and your next steps. Register over the summer with sessions starting from Autumn 2026.
