Through the Forum, members join together to discuss matters of common interest and concern, to raise awareness and to share information. By expressing views, members can identify problems and needs that are common within the wider membership. Issues are discussed at the strategic level, the aim being to put views forward to the relevant authorities, usually the Scottish Government and Parliament.

The collective voice of BEFS is generated through regular meetings of its members, workshop discussion and through the operation of working groups and taskforces. The value of this collective voice is that it gives added weight to many individual voices; BEFS highlights areas of consensus where these exist thereby strengthening the message being presented to decision-makers. The agenda of BEFS arises from within the membership, and as such, BEFS should not be seen as having a separate identity, but rather as performing a co-ordinating function, always making a case on behalf of its membership rather than as BEFS. This is achieved without compromising the independence or constitutional interests of the constituent members.

Performing an intermediary role, BEFS supports its members by raising awareness of, and facilitating joint working on strategic issues of common interest. We are the only membership forum operating in Scotland that brings together voluntary and professional bodies in the built environment sector. Through collaborative action, we influence and promote relevant issues to policy-makers and decision-makers.