European Territorial Cooperation programmes 2021-2027: consultation

Scottish Government should be seeking to achieve economic, social and regional development through involvement in ETC programmes, working across borders to tackle common challenges and find shared solutions. Collaboration through ETC programmes should focus on Scotland’s key and emerging sectors to enhance learning and innovations that will bring added value to Scotland. Key aims should include, but not limited to, the shift to a low-carbon economy, smart growth, sustainable transport, improved connectivity, preserving and protecting the natural environment, and promotion of resource efficiency / the circular economy.

The shared geographical landscape and challenges in other countries provides an ideal base for knowledge transfer and growth – engaging with partners from other countries who are at the leading edge of research within key sectors that benefit Scotland.

European partnerships have provided our region with opportunities and developments that otherwise would not have been possible to deliver. HITRANS current involvement in Interreg programmes results in just over £4million in funding for the area at an average intervention rate from Europe of almost 70% - significantly more funding than what would be available nationally or locally. It also provides match funding that results in local projects having a far larger reach than what would otherwise have been possible. In addition, HITRANS employment has increased by 50% through involvement in European projects.

For HITRANS, working with organisations from other countries has resulted in significant learning and development in the transport sector – particularly in the field of low carbon transport such as autonomous vehicles, battery-powered trains and hydrogen ferries. Many of our European projects involve pilot testing new technologies, leading to significant investment in infrastructure and services that otherwise would not occur. A clear example is the PAV project (Planning for Autonomous Vehicles), an Interreg North Sea Region project HITRANS is leading, focusing on the development of planning strategies that incorporate autonomous vehicles. HITRANS is one of four partners across the programme area testing an autonomous vehicle, sharing learning throughout, with HITRANS due to test the technology in a rural setting. This aligns well with the CAV Roadmap for Scotland – offering an opportunity for collaboration to test, support and develop the move towards connected and autonomous vehicles in the movement of passengers and goods.

Working with organisations from other countries and involvement in European projects significantly contributes to meeting Scottish Government’s low carbon targets. An example being our involvement in projects G-PaTRA and FASTER – both aimed at reducing carbon emissions from transport and increasing EV uptake. In G-PaTRA we are piloting an electric bus in rural Morayshire that otherwise did not have any public transport services, and we have also just launched e-bike pilots in Aviemore, Grantown-on-Spey & Fort William, as well as having conducted case studies on the use of battery-powered trains between Wick-Thurso. The FASTER project is a recently approved Cross-Border project with NI & Ireland that provides HITRANS with a budget of £1.4m to install rapid charge points in our region – significantly enhancing Scotland’s capability to move to EVs, particularly in rural regions.

Regional and national strategies align well with those in Europe, and the ability to collaborate and share knowledge creates a more tailored approach to regional development as partnerships can be formed that share similar characteristics and challenges.

ETC programmes could make use of digital connectivity and social media to promote upcoming funding calls, along with more community engagement, to make clear to the public what funding is available, how to access it and what success stories have arisen from earlier programmes. This could also improve the way partners are brought together to seek funds in advance of applying. In the present setup, certain communities and groups might be disadvantaged as funding is difficult to obtain. Significant administration resource is required for proposal stages. If the application process could be streamlined across ETC programmes this would create time savings and efficiency at all stages, from application to evaluation. Administration support could be provided to those that need it to create a fairer process for all who could benefit or take part in projects.

More systemic monitoring and reporting processes would also allow for improved knowledge of eventual impacts and better benchmarking, as well as help improve communication of programme results.

Key aims from the North West Europe programme that align well with Scottish Government aims include:
- Inclusive growth
- Advancements in innovation
- Low carbon technologies
- Smart growth objectives
- Circular economy

Improving green transport and mobility – reducing emissions and improving air quality should be top aims of the Scottish Government to preserve our natural environment and improve public health. Environmentally friendly innovation also aligns well with circular economy aims – encouraging growth but with minimal wastage. Coordinated cross-border and transnational working is crucial to effectively meet these aims due to the nature of transportation of both passengers and goods. Areas within the North Sea Region share characteristics that make it ideal to work in partnership to tackle these challenges.

It's important not to exclude areas and projects that successfully meet the programme aims of the North Sea Region but would not qualify if only limited to those that align with Scotland's National Marine Plan. Maritime issues should still be a major focus due to the geography of the programme, but other issues such as green transport, SME growth and connected communities are also important themes within the programme that could be lost if the focus was more narrowed.

Key aims from the North Periphery and Arctic programme that align well with Scottish Government aims include:
- Protecting natural heritage
- Renewable energy
- Using innovative to create competitive communities, particularly for remote and rural areas

The Arctic Policy could be used to help focus the objectives, but not be limited to only those that relate to this policy as it risks missing several important themes.

By focusing on themes that will address ways public authorities can improve public services whilst also trying to reduce costs in the long term, such as smart cities utilising technology to improve the design and delivery of services.

The key aims of the Urbact programme align well with strategies for Scottish cities regarding economic development, protecting the environment, promoting sustainable transport, and addressing employment, social inclusion and poverty. The Urbact programme could help Scottish cities by expanding across the whole of Scotland to include all cities, helping to take forward new ideas in urban planning and economic and social inclusion.

City-region deals cover a lot of the same priorities as Urbact, but could have missed key themes and should not be treated as a catch-all. The Urbact programme could help address any gaps and other opportunities that meet the needs of Scottish cities.

Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland have significant economic, social and cultural commonality which manifests itself in our approach to regional development. The goal of all three governments is broadly to develop a regionally balanced economy with opportunities for all, with many of the challenges to achieving this prevalent in all 3 jurisdictions.

Key themes that overlap between the areas that will strongly benefit from continued collaboration include:
- Health and social care provision
- Access to education
- Low carbon transport
- Addressing rural populations
- Health connectivity
- Resource efficiency
- Circular economy