What’s New in CiviCRM? Highlights from the Scotland Meetup

23 June 2025

CiviCRM Events Open Source

Introducing the blog: CiviCRM Scotland community event 2025. For organisations in the third sector, it isn't just a database - it's a lifeline. 2 minute read.

After nearly six years without a physical gathering, the CiviCRM community in Scotland reunited at The Melting Pot in Edinburgh — with both online and in-person attendees. It was an energising mix of familiar faces and first-timers, and a clear signal that momentum around CiviCRM is strong across the UK third sector.

From hands-on updates to thoughtful reflections, here’s a look at what we learned — and why it matters.

TLDR; Highlights from the CiviCRM Scotland Meetup

The 2025 Scotland Meetup brought together charities, membership organisations, and developers to share CiviCRM knowledge.
Sessions explored data privacy, integration tips, and real-world case studies, showing how CiviCRM supports mission-driven work.
Pooka joined to connect with the community, learn from peers, and share insights from our own client projects.
The big takeaway: CiviCRM isn’t just software — it’s a community of people helping charities work smarte

What’s New in CiviCRM?

The session kicked off with a rundown of six key developments that are shaping how people use CiviCRM in 2025:

1. CiviCRM Standalone Mode
You can now decouple your CiviCRM installation from your website’s CMS. Meaning easier logins and greater flexibility — especially if your website is undergoing maintenance or being rebuilt. It’s a major win for future-proofing your systems.

2. A Fresh Look: New Admin Themes
CiviCRM has officially left the ’90s behind. Thanks to the new admin theme framework, “RiverLea”, you can now choose from four distinct styles — Minetta, Hackney Brook, Walbrook and Thames — each with their own feel (and dark mode too). The Thames theme, with its clean side-tab design, is set to become the default for training and demos for the core team at CiviCRM.

3. Menu Search
A small update, but a mighty one. The new menu search icon helps you navigate your dashboard with speed and ease. No more endless clicking to find what you need.

4. CiviMobile App
Developed by Agiliway, this open-source mobile app (iOS and Android) connects to your CiviCRM database with a QR code and lets you update contacts, schedule follow-ups, and manage tasks on the go. Great for outreach teams or anyone working out and about.

5. SearchKit
Say goodbye to clunky advanced searches. SearchKit offers a no-code, user-friendly way to build complex queries and dashboards. If you’ve ever battled with Search Builder, this is your upgrade.

6. FormBuilder
Still evolving, but already essential. FormBuilder lets you create front-end forms and backend admin interfaces with drag-and-drop ease. Bonus: It works seamlessly with SearchKit for powerful, custom dashboards.

What We Heard from the Community

A few standout reflections from attendees:

Many were excited to finally meet in person again.
Several guest organisations have been experimenting with CiviCRM independently — which is heartening to see.
There’s growing awareness of the value in working with digital partners (like Pooka) to provide structure, support, and strategic input.
Even seasoned implementers were surprised by the latest features — a reminder of how fast the platform is evolving.

And from William Mortada (longtime host of the North East England meetups): a reminder that virtual meetups have the potential to make a global impact. But there’s still something special about a room with a kettle and a flipchart.

What’s Next?

We’re hoping to see the return of a regular meetup rhythm — perhaps every three months — with hybrid access, better AV tech, and more sessions tailored to different levels of experience (think user vs. developer tracks).

Want to join us for the next one or help shape what it looks like? Drop us a message — we’d love to keep this momentum going.

Why This Matters

For organisations in the third sector, CiviCRM isn’t just a database — it’s a lifeline. It keeps supporters connected, campaigns coordinated, and teams working smarter. And as the tool evolves, so do the possibilities.

Whether you’re brand new to CiviCRM or looking to deepen your setup, the takeaway is clear: you don’t have to do it alone.

At Pooka & Co, we work with changemakers to implement, customise, and train teams on CiviCRM — so it works for you. And if you’re curious about what these new features could unlock for your organisation, let’s talk.

Until next time, happy Civi-ing.

FAQs: Your Questions About the Meetup

What is the CiviCRM Scotland Meetup?

It’s a quarterly gathering of charities, developers, and users who come together to share experiences, learn best practices, and build stronger connections around CiviCRM.

Why did Pooka host this?

To stay connected with the CiviCRM community, exchange knowledge, and bring practical insights that help our community make the most of open-source tools.

What were the key themes this time?

Discussions centred on data privacy, system integrations, and case studies that showed how organisations are using CiviCRM to manage memberships, fundraising, and events more effectively.