International offices: guide

Nordic

We opened our office in Copenhagen in August 2022 - joining an already strong SDI presence in the Nordic region. The teams are based within the British Embassy in Copenhagen, with three members of the Scottish Government office and four for SDI focused on trade.

Scotland has strong shared interests with the Nordics on culture, environment, energy, climate change, digital economies, wellbeing and social services, and preservation and opportunities in the Arctic region. This is reflected in the many direct connections our policy teams have with the region already. The Nordic office aims to improve these connections, helping to connect business, cultural organisations and academia, as well as connecting politically. In this way, we won’t only strengthen diplomatic links, but ties between people, culture and economies, helping to make Scotland a natural part of the European family.

Strategic objectives

Priorities for 2024 to 2025

Economy, trade and investment

Export growth

• we will promote economic engagement and trade, showcasing Scotland's strengths to public and private Nordic stakeholders, with a focus on three priority areas - energy transition, applied technologies and healthcare systems
• life sciences and human health are a key part of SDI Nordics activities and with the Nordic region spending heavily on new hospital infrastructure and digital innovation over the next decade, the SDI team will continue to focus on sustainable and digital healthcare solutions
• the transition to green energy is an important SG policy area, SE/SDI international workstreams and a key part of NSET. SDI focus in the Nordics is to contribute to Scotland being a leader both in the production and export of green energy, and in building an innovative and competitive industry. Over the next three years, SDI will be focussing on delivering OSW supply chain success, both from a trade and inward investment perspective. SG will back this with political and wider industry engagement
• we will increase Scottish participation in UN, Big Science and Nordic charitable foundation procurement activities building out our innovation partnerships with these “third way” organisations as well as Nordic research institutions

Inward investment

• we will develop and increase foreign direct investment into Scotland through lead generation and business development, with a particular focus on green jobs in energy transition, ScotWind, Hydrogen and AAA in the Highlands and Islands

Capital investment

• we continue to highlight the investment opportunities for Nordic capital in Scotland’s climate and technology landscapes. We will work to increase capital investment into Scotland’s economy to help scale-up innovative companies and increase productivity

Climate change, biodiversity and renewable energy

Renewable energy (offshore wind, hydrogen, CCUS, infrastructure, investment and supply chains)

Our aim is that Scotland is seen by Nordic interlocutors as a positive and active partner in using the North Sea to responsibly address climate and energy security issues; and that we as an office constantly identify opportunities to influence and work with Nordic partners on the transition of all offshore energy systems. We will:

• build Scotland’s credibility: by showcasing opportunities in Scotland, and by providing high quality market insight which goes on to shape the Scottish policy response in a way that crowds in investors
• shape the market for successful Scottish delivery: by working with Nordic partners (and UKG) to influence the shape of those future international infrastructure and market regulations which set the framework for successful delivery of the energy transition in Scotland and Europe
• deliver economic growth: by targeting industry interlocutors, major sectoral events and influential investors to both profile developments and business opportunities in Scotland, and by helping Scottish companies in this sector grow their exports to Nordic markets

Climate Change and Biodiversity

Our aim is for Scotland's climate ambition and net zero priorities, expertise and track record to be understood and valued by Nordic partners – in turn creating  opportunities for collaboration and partnerships (U2 Coalition, Regions 4, BOGA, and government to government).  To do this we will:

• identify opportunities for engagement (primarily with Denmark): by tracking developments in Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance and the development of a global consensus on Loss and Damage
• promote Scottish climate and environment expertise and nurture policy exchange: by supporting nascent dialogue between Scottish peatland and forestry officials and their counterparts in Sweden and Finland, and taking a leading role in the ongoing development and delivery of Scotland’s Energy Transition MoU with Denmark
• support climate colleagues: by identifying opportunities to learn from Nordic best practice on e.g. heat decarbonisation and climate adaptation financing, and feeding in intel gleaned from in-country dialogue with Nordic officials 

Reputation, influence and relationships 

Scottish connections

• to ensure Scots abroad, including GlobalScots, are engaged with the office; and actively telling the story of modern Scotland in the region, we will: 
  • increase Nordic GlobalScots network by 25% and leverage for Scottish companies looking to internationalise
  • include diaspora contacts in major cultural events and as key contacts for the office in support of its other aims

Cultural cooperation

• Scottish cultural events should be harnessed to showcase modern Scotland and its strengths. Events should act to build institutional relationships between Scottish and Nordic actors, and link to reputational and trade and investment outcomes. We will:
  • curate and deliver two major annual Winter Festival events in two different Nordic geographies, showcasing the best of modern, progressive Scotland while holding true to our heritage and cultural richness
  • support Screen Scotland in growing their annual presence at CPH:Dox, in doing so making connections to Denmark’s powerful system of film commissioners, while beginning to explore how to promote Gaming as a key Scottish industry which has deep resonance within the Nordics
  • broadcast the Edinburgh Festivals as a key cultural moment, and opportunity for Nordic performers and industry to engage, linking this wherever possible back to bookings for Scottish companies in the Nordic market
  • seliver substantial diplomatic amplification and increase in awareness for Nordic Music Days being held in Glasgow in 2024, including a London based launch to increase its profile with European journalists and bookers
  • explore the promotion of Scottish design and craft as a sector with potentially significant cut-through to the Nordics

Knowledge exchange and partnerships

We aim to have a deep understanding of the Nordic democratic model and values of governance; and in particular the structures, dynamics and opportunities in working with the Nordic Council and Nordic Council of Ministers on shared priority areas. 

We will: 

• develop contacts in Nordic Council and Nordic Council of Ministers, including national government interlocutors in all member states
• deepen engagement with enterprise foundations to inform SG missions delivery
• initiate engagement with local and regional government, think tanks and academia engaged in this area across the region

Contact

Head of Nordic office: Katrine Feldinger 

Twitter/X: @ScotGovNordic

LinkedIn: Scottish Government Nordic Office

Post

Scottish Government Copenhagen Office
Kastelsvej 36-40
DK-2100
Copenhagen East
Denmark