The Horizontal Themes Experience in Scotland

The treatment of substainable development has changed. In the 1994-1996 and 1997-1999 Programmes, sustainable development - in terms of the integration of economic, social and environmental objectives - was not explicit as a dominant theme.

From 1997, that situation changed. First, and responding to an EC initiative, ESEP made a successful bid to take part in a pilot project as one of 12 EU Regions pioneering a deeper approach to sustainable development. ESEP has subsequently developed this work with enthusiasm and commitment. Second, this work has been reinforced by guidance from the European Commission and the Scottish Executive. Third, sustainable development is now at the heart of the 2000-2006 Programme. It is one of the four central development themes, requiring that as well as their role in economic development, all projects must explicitly address the Strategy's objectives on social inclusion, equal opportunities and environmental improvement.