Scotland, Small States and the EU

Lessons for and from Scotland, on how small states and EU regions network and influence in key EU policy areas.

The project

For this strand we looked at how smaller EU states and larger EU regions develop and implement their strategies and priorities in today's EU - with a particular focus on the European Green Deal, new industrial strategy and the Northern Dimension. What lessons could Scotland learn from them?

What were Scotland’s key European interests and current and potential new strategy for policy development, influencing and networking - whether based inside or outside the EU and its single market?
What should Scotland’s European strategy be, depending on which Brexit and independence scenarios would unfold?

A collaboration with the former Scottish Centre on European Relations and led by its Director, Kirsty Hughes, this project involved a range of outputs.

Outputs

Policy Paper

Sunset over the Cromarty Firth - famous for the shipping forecast and the place where oil rigs go to retire. Photo by Ben Wicks on Unsplash

'Smaller States’ Strategies and Influence in an EU of 27: Lessons for Scotland', by Kirsty Hughes, presented the results of bespoke qualitative research, including interviews and a policy document and literature analysis, and insights gathered at the roundtable in Edinburgh.