Five years after it was signed by the Prime Minister and First Minister, the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal has helped 15,000 people secure employment, and improved the skills and knowledge of over 103,000 of the region’s citizens.
The delivery milestones are captured in the Deal’s latest annual report – Read here.
As one of six data driven innovation hubs at the University of Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt University the Edinburgh Futures Institute (EFI) is part of a regional power-house for collaboration and data innovation with industry partners.
Regional powerhouse
For Edinburgh Futures Institute and sister hubs, the creation of an entrepreneurial campus, supporting a thriving innovation ecosystem is well underway. For the Futures Institute it includes the co-location of research centres, civic and commercial partners alongside students, and will support the creation of at least 90 new companies.
Along with interdisciplinary postgraduate, undergraduate, professional and lifelong study that supports data driven innovation and is equipping students with the critical leadership, data and creative skills needed in a fast-changing world, the Institute is pioneering flexible and inclusive fusion study to enable online and on-campus learning, and is increasing opportunities for a diverse student body to gain and apply knowledge to live projects and real-world challenges.
The Institute’s research culture consolidates the University of Edinburgh’s leadership in Data-Driven Innovation research and is delivering impact through the generation of over £170 million in research income and developing research capacity by supporting the incubation and growth of interdisciplinary clusters and centres.
The Futures Institute is also establishing major partnerships across four key sectors: Financial Services (including Fintech), Creative Industries, Tourism and Festivals, and Public Services (including Data Civics), and co-creating projects that deliver meaningful impact derived from world-leading research in these areas.
Delivering impact
Some of the Deal’s most significant impacts are captured in a video series, highlighting the people and organisations behind the projects. Featured projects include data skills in primary schools, circular economy and low carbon in the Fife Innovation Zone, and a construction academy for members of the region’s Ukrainian community.
With an investment of £1.5 billion over 15 years, the UK and Scottish governments, along with regional stakeholders, are committed to enhancing transportation, housing, culture, skills, employability, and innovation across the region. This investment, in the region with more than 24% of Scotland’s population, is one of the most ambitious deals in the UK.
Councillor Euan Jardine, Convener of the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Joint Committee, said:
“The Edinburgh and South-East Scotland City Region Deal is a triumph of regional collaboration in delivering jobs, skills, opportunities, well-being and prosperity. It demonstrates what can be achieved when central and local government, higher and further education, and the business, social enterprise and third sectors work strategically and collectively. We are on track to significantly exceed the benefits anticipated through this transformative Deal and have exciting plans to maintain and enhance the region’s global reputation, become the Data Capital of Europe and to deliver sustainable and inclusive growth for the benefit of all who live in this diverse region.”
UK Government Minister for Scotland Malcolm Offord said:
“The Edinburgh City Region and South East Scotland deal has reached some remarkable milestones in the five years since its signing. We are already seeing the benefits the projects are bringing to the region through the breakthroughs in science and innovation and developments in infrastructure.
“The UK Government’s £300 million investment continues to support the deal to deliver sustainable economic growth in South East Scotland, part of more than £2.4 billion to level up right across Scotland.”
Links
Find out more about the Data Driven Innovation initiative and the University of Edinburgh innovation hubs: https://ddi.ac.uk/
The City Region Deal, Edinburgh and Southeast Scotland Annual Report 2022-2023: https://indd.adobe.com/view/a2dff8f2-a373-4568-909f-e07dfaf6caec
