National Islands Plan: annual report 2024

Implementation and Measurement of the National Islands Plan

Strategic Objective 13 – Support effective implementation of the National Islands Plan

Commitment 13.1 Establish a robust process to ensure the timely publication of a detailed Implementation Route Map setting out clear actions with defined responsibilities for action and timescales to support the delivery of the National Islands Plan.

Commitment Fulfilled.

This commitment was fulfilled in 2021. Please see the National Islands Plan Annual Report 2021 for further details

Commitment 13.2 Develop indicators applicable to each Strategic Objective in collaboration with Scottish Government agencies, local authorities, island communities and relevant island socio-economic actors based on the SMART criteria and building on the National Performance Framework and Sustainable Development Goals.

Implementation Route Map 2024

• We have developed and will continue to update a Scottish Islands Data Dashboard to gather island level data that can be used to inform impact assessments and monitor progress around the National Islands Plan strategic objectives.
• The Scottish Islands Survey was carried out in 2023 and a report was published in September 2024.

The Scottish Islands Survey (2023: main findings report) report was published in September 2024. The results will contribute to measuring progress towards the objectives set out in the first National Islands Plan and are informing the ongoing development of a new Plan.

A report comparing the findings of the first National Islands Plan Survey, was carried out in 2020, and the results of the 2023 iteration are available here. Some key findings from the 2023 survey have also been compared with available national or regional statistics for the same time period. A dedicated report available here places the findings for the Scottish islands in the wider context of what is happening in Scotland as a whole.

A results explorer for the Scottish Islands Survey 2023 is available here.

The Scottish Islands Data Dashboard Report and interactive dashboard were published in December 2023. Work is scheduled to update both resources and will incorporate the results of the Scottish Islands Survey (2023) as well as other new island data sources.

Commitment 13.3 Host a series of islands-based focus group workshops, to discuss and agree the specific actions linked to each of the 13 Strategic Objectives in the Plan.

Commitment Fulfilled.

This commitment was fulfilled in 2020. Please see the National Islands Plan Annual Report 2020 for further details.

Commitment 13.4 Review the availability, usefulness of, and the wider barriers to, island level data both at an individual island level, groups of islands and consider the creation of a “Scottish Islands” data level in order to better understand the challenges faced by island communities.

Commitment Fulfilled.

This commitment was fulfilled in 2020. Please see the National Islands Plan Annual Report 2020 for further details.

Commitment 13.5 Create a Young Islanders Network constituted by young people from all Scottish islands that will have a consultative role in the implementation of the National Islands Plan to ensure that the delivery of the Plan fully considers the interests and priorities of young people.

Commitment Fulfilled.

This commitment was fulfilled in 2020. Please see the National Islands Plan Annual Report 2020 for further details

Commitment 13.6 Establish a National Islands Plan Governance Group to ensure close monitoring of the Implementation Route Map. This group will oversee the delivery of the National Islands Plan and feedback on progress to the Islands Strategic Group and other interested parties.

Commitment Fulfilled.

This commitment was fulfilled in 2021. Please see the National Islands Plan Annual Report 2021 for further details.

Commitment 13.7 Work with island communities to ensure that the Plan is widely promoted and understood by all sections of society.

Implementation Route Map 2024

• We will continue to consult and collaborate with our island communities on a regular basis.
• We will continue to support the Islands Strategic Group to allow us to work closely with our local authority partners on delivery.
• We will continue to support the National Islands Plan Delivery Group to ensure that work is driven forward in a collaborative way that truly involves island communities.

The community engagements that are now being undertaken in preparation for the new National Islands Plan offer an opportunity to promote greater understanding of the provisions of the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018.

The Scottish Government’s Islands Team is delivering a programme of engagements with island communities, local authorities and a wide range of delivery partners.

Community engagements will continue over the coming months to ensure the new Plan addresses islanders’ concerns and ambitions, recognising that each island is unique with its own distinct mix of opportunities and challenges.