Wellbeing Economy Governments (WEGo)

Overview

Making the transition to  a Wellbeing Economy is a top priority for the Scottish Government. This means building an economy that is fair, green and growing.

Our economic transformation aims to fundamentally reshape our economy, delivering a just transition to a net zero, nature-positive economy based on the principles of equality, prosperity and resilience.

Scotland is a founding member of the Wellbeing Economy Governments (WEGo) Group.

The Wellbeing Economy Governments partnership (WEGo) is an initiative where member countries are working together to understand how to bring wellbeing approaches into policymaking. The network enables cross-government engagement, learning and collaboration, utilising the advice of practitioners and experts to deepen our understanding of how to use wellbeing frameworks and evidence to improve policymaking. The network also serves as a space to share relevant policy impacts and experience.

The group was launched at the OECD’s World Forum in Incheon, South Korea, in 2018. This included participation from the governments of Scotland, Iceland and New Zealand along with Professor Joseph Stiglitz, a member of our former Council of Economic Advisers and Chair of the OECD’s High-Level Group on the Measurement of Economic Performance and Social Progress. 

Membership of the group has grown since its launch in 2018 and currently involves the governments of Scotland, Iceland, New Zealand, Wales and Finland, with Canada actively participating.

The network engages regularly with the OECD, alongside other external stakeholders.

WEGo was a partner of the second Wellbeing Economy Forum, held in Iceland in June 2024. WEGo officials attended the forum and took part in a panel session as part of the conference programme, where they discussed the achievements and everyday challenges faced by countries working on integrating the wellbeing economy lens into budgets.

Objectives:

• COLLABORATE by sharing expertise, practice and learning between WEGo partners on integrating wellbeing evidence and analysis into policy processes and advice
• EMBED the wellbeing economy approach by demonstrating how robust analysis and evidence supports policy, ensuring long-term, mainstreamed action that resonates across the political spectrum
• IDENTIFY shared challenges, whilst recognising different contexts, with the aim of driving improved policy advice and sustainable societal outcomes

Policy labs

Economic Policy Labs are the platform through which officials from the respective governments can share experience and expertise. They provide a forum for officials to engage in practical exchange on specific policy areas of shared interest, in pursuit of enhanced wellbeing for current and future generations.

The group held their first series of economic policy labs in Edinburgh in May 2019 at the former home of Adam Smith, Panmure House. An opening session was held, inviting actors from the third sector and civic society to hear about the aims and ambitions of the group. 

Since mid-2020, the group has held regular virtual policy labs, and an in-person event in November 2022, with participation from the governments of Scotland, Iceland, New Zealand, Wales, Finland and Canada.

The group continues to hold virtual policy labs and webinars with guest speakers at frequent intervals. A wide range of topics have been covered in the policy labs, including: performance frameworks, wellbeing budgeting and reporting, sustainable tourism and natural capital, child poverty, the challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change.

• Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon's TED speech on wellbeing

Publications