International offices: guide

Berlin

Our Berlin office opened in April 2018 and works with our Scottish Development International Office in Düsseldorf to deepen Scotland’s political, economic and cultural relationships with Germany.  Team Scotland in Germany promotes engagement across devolved matters and supports collaboration between Scottish and German business, innovation and research, educational and cultural organisations

The office is located within the UK Embassy building in central Berlin.

The work of the Scotland in Germany network includes:

• increasing influence and engagement with Germany
• encouraging increased collaboration between our business, research, education and cultural institutions
• supporting Scottish Ministers, in particular in the areas of trade and investment, higher education, research and innovation
• promoting trade and investment between German and Scottish businesses and organisations
• providing analysis on political and economic developments in Germany

The outcome of the UK’s exit from the EU will have a significant impact on the political landscape, as well as on German-Scottish relations. We are committed partners in Europe and our work continues to contribute meaningfully to collective goals in Germany and across the EU.

Strategic objectives

Priorities for 2023 to 2024

Building and strengthening relationships:

• promote Scotland’s devolved interests in Germany through engagement in a range of EU priority areas that demonstrate Scotland’s ongoing commitment to the EU, while showcasing Scotland's values-driven approach across areas such as the Wellbeing Economy, Just Transition and green growth
• deepen partnership working in support of key priorities and sectors, most notably with Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Hamburg and Lower Saxony/the Northern Alliance across energy, economy and climate change, and with Rhineland-Palatinate in education, trainee teacher exchange, and AI
• promote, support and grow key Scottish Connections and Friends of Scotland networks, including Global Scots, alumni networks and affinity diaspora while showcasing Scotland's distinct cultural heritage through in-person and online events, including its indigenous languages, literature, music, food and drink
• support Scottish Higher Education Institutions (HEI’s) and other stakeholders in maintaining and strengthening their ties with German HEI’s, research institutes and innovation partners

Contributing to Scotland's trade and investment objectives:

• protect and promote economic engagement, showcasing Scotland's strengths at a strategic level in areas such as renewable energy, life sciences and health tech, artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies, consumer lifestyle, space, food and drink
• support Scottish businesses to develop international trade and maintain and develop new markets across the sectors such as financial and industrial technology, space, food and drink, renewable energy, and life science sectors
• protect and increase foreign direct investment to Scotland. Through lead generation and business development, attract inward investment that reflects Scotland's values while delivering better jobs and green growth in communities across Scotland, focussing on energy transition, i.e. offshore wind, hydrogen and decarbonisation of heat

Contributing to Scotland's climate change, biodiversity and renewable energy objectives:

• identify opportunities and intensify collaboration at State and Federal level across offshore wind and hydrogen to ensure that Scotland is recognised as a hydrogen import partner for Germany and that the necessary partnerships and projects are established; and help strengthen the sector by developing joint learning and technology exchange, trade, investment and research opportunities
• promote Scotland's climate ambition and net zero priorities by developing opportunities for collaboration and partnership through the U2 Coalition, across biodiversity and loss and damage, and through the links to green economic development and decarbonisation via offshore wind, hydrogen, e-mobility and green finance

See previous strategic objectives in our website archive.

Contact

Head of Berlin Office: Catherine Reeve

Email: Germanyhub@gov.scot

Twitter/X: @ScotGovGermany

Telephone (Reception): +49 (0) 30 204 570

Post:

Scottish Government Berlin Office
Wilhelmstrasse 70
10117
Berlin
Germany