Arctic Connections: policy framework evaluation

Arctic Connections Fund: Implementation and achievements

Introduction

This chapter looks at the successes of implementation, delivery and impacts of the Arctic Connections Fund (ACF). Projects funded through the ACF were largely delivered to plan with limited alterations, and delivered a broad range of impacts including educational resources, academic research papers, digital tools and artwork. Projects have supported relationship building with Scottish and Arctic partners across groups such as academics, third sector organisations, and policy makers, and have boosted Scotland’s international profile with Arctic partners, facilitating Scottish representation at a number of key international events. Issues and challenges around implementation of the ACF, and ACF-supported delivery are dealt with in Chapter 5.

ACF implementation

Application process

When asked about the application process, some recipients said that this was a straightforward and relatively concise process with good communication from the Scottish Government, and the ability to tweak and alter proposals as needed. One recipient praised the application process, particularly in comparison to those for other grants they had worked on:

“I have worked on projects with a lot more paperwork previously, this one was pretty standard. I’m sure it’s a different story for other projects, however in this instance, it aligned pretty well with our experience.”

Others interviewed had not been directly involved in the application process, however in their view it was suggested that those responsible for applying for funding had largely found the application process to be straightforward.

Delivery

The ACF projects were largely delivered as intended, with three quarters of projects delivering all of the outputs they had planned in their proposals. Most projects delivered educational events or workshops, collaborative research projects, study visits or exchanges, or a combination of these (project outputs are discussed further below). The vast majority of projects (90%) included a workshop, learning session or similar in delivery. For example, SCOTMAC and SCOTMAC 2 both hosted large numbers of international students as representatives of Arctic partners, to discuss prominent current challenges including the climate crisis and Arctic cooperation.

The majority (58%) of projects included a face-to-face element such as an exchange or visit, either of Scottish participants to the Arctic, Arctic participants to Scotland or both. In some projects, face-to-face contact was the main element such as the Summer Exchange Programme run by the Polar Academy which allowed Scottish, and Greenlandic pupils to experience each other’s cultures. Other projects supported face-to-face research, such as the University of Aberdeen’s research into Arctic Food Sovereignty.

Face-to-face contact was not vital to delivery for all projects. A large number of projects were completed entirely online, such as Print Arctic, which relied on online meetings between the partners to produce a print inspired by both studios. Online and digital project engagement and co-ordination was not cited as a significant drawback, and the vast majority of projects which were run completely online delivered all of their planned outputs. However, some recipients indicated that if they had received more funding to progress their projects (that is, if a larger maximum funding amount was available), the inclusion of a face-to-face element would be a valuable addition. One recipient summed this up by commenting:

“In person meetings and webinars would have been better to build rapport and reach a much wider audience, specifically in the indigenous context.”

Another ACF-supported project was planned as being ‘digital-first’, where the majority of delivery and input was done online through online sessions with an Arctic Institute to develop a playable game of an existing comic they had already created. However, the project lead was able to take advantage of their Arctic partner receiving additional funding to support a cohort of 16 to visit, and pivot to deliver a ‘hybrid’ project where music, games and films were showcased in a number of settings. This supported far greater cultural engagement across both partners, for example the Greenlandic visitors were able to perform and share some traditional music. Digital interactions between Scottish and Arctic project participants were also used successfully in many projects. This was both alongside, and instead of, face-to-face meetings with Arctic partners. Edinburgh Printworks only communicated via video call with the Canadian print studio. They note that this did present several minor challenges in terms of translation, and video connection, however due to the visual nature of proofing and creating prints, still worked well for its purpose. Although there was significant value inface-to-face contact with Arctic partners, projects which were completed online were still able to achieve their outputs and support the key Arctic Connections Policy Framework (ACPF) themes. For example, many projects which delivered events and workshops, also used online video platforms for this, praising its capacity to reach a significant number of partners in an easy, and cost-effective way.

Just under two thirds of fund recipients (65%) conducted research projects, such as an investigation into the indigenous Pond Inlet community. Activities for this project were comprised of interviews with local stakeholders in the community, culminating in a number of illustrated talks. Other research-based projects worked with local communities to deliver peer reviewed outputs, such as projects with Heriot Watt, Stirling and Strathclyde universities.

For projects working with indigenous Arctic populations, strong local facilitators who were embedded in these communities were key to enabling this. Tinderbox Collective recognise their reliance on Uummannaq Polar Institute’s embedded role in the Greenlandic community to facilitate youth engagement and cultural exchange, overcoming logistical and connectivity challenges. In some cases, project team members had pre-existing links with the local facilitator, which supported and smoothed project engagement, such as Edinburgh Printworks who already had contact with the Arctic partner through previous work. These facilitators can act as key gatekeepers to Arctic partners, helping to support faster relationship building and building rapport.

Project outputs

As noted above, ACF-funded projects delivered a range of outputs and project resources. The following summarises the main outputs from projects.

Digital tools

A number of digital outputs have been created from ACF-funded projects. For example, a portfolio of free-to-use, online educational ‘Ice Games’ produced by pupils from Edinburgh and Uummannaq. These are a series of online and physical games developed through sharing cultural understanding between the Scottish and Greenlandic participants which teach about the Uummannaq culture. The University of Aberdeen in collaboration with the University of Washington has produced the Teaching Arctic Environment website, which displays a number of educational boxes containing tools for learning about Arctic life and culture. This site has since produced a second series of these educational boxes on the website following completion of the original project. These resources are freely accessible and available to all. The accessibility of these digital resources means that there is a post-project (and also post-fund) legacy that helps to raise awareness of issues affecting the Arctic and Arctic communities.

Academic studies

Academic studies produced through ACF funding include peer-reviewed articles, literature reviews, and research reports. Robert Gordon University for example, conducted an extensive literature review of over 800 items relating to rural youth out-migration from across the Arctic, and produced a 100-page report to the Scottish Government detailing their recommendations. The University of Aberdeen team who worked with the Pond Inlet community are currently preparing a white paper and academic article detailing the findings of their research. The white paper will be produced for the Nunavut Provincial Government, and will publish the assessment of existing energy supply systems, waste disposal and sewage treatment and suggestions for enhancing both environmental sustainability and economic viability. This will support with economic and environmental decision making for Pond Inlet. A University of Glasgow team have conducted research into Gaelic and Sami are also preparing an academic article. Such outputs have made a contribution to the academic body of literature on Arctic matters, and can be considered a positive outcome of ACF funding.

Workshops and events

Workshops and events for a broad range of audiences have been a key output for multiple projects. This includes delivery of a range of drama workshops to over a hundred pupils from Scottish and Swedish schools through the Arctic Winds project, and the SCOTMAC learning events that invited pupil delegates from 12 different Arctic countries to discuss pressing Arctic issues. Again, this has helped to raise awareness of Arctic issues, particularly amongst young people.

Cultural resources

Some projects have produced cultural works such as art and film through ACF funding. Print Arctic, a collaboration between Edinburgh Printmakers and Kinngait Studio in Canada, produced a print reflecting shared learning and design processes, which has been sold in both countries. Other projects generated films, such as Just North, illustrating Arctic challenges, and two filmed theatre productions through the Arctic Winds project, which have been distributed globally. These cultural outputs helped build connections and foster understanding using artistic expression, reaching audiences beyond the purely academic or policy-focused stakeholders.

Summary

Application process: Overall, recipients found the application process straightforward, with clear guidance and flexibility to adjust proposals. While some interviewees were not directly involved, feedback indicates that most applicants experienced minimal bureaucratic burden compared with other funding sources. This suggests that the Fund was delivered as intended in terms of accessibility and ease of entry.

Project delivery and outputs: Most ACF projects were delivered as planned, with around three-quarters achieving all proposed outputs. Delivery included educational workshops, collaborative research, study visits, and exchanges. While face-to-face contact enhanced cultural engagement, many projects successfully achieved outputs through online or hybrid approaches. Research, digital tools, academic studies, cultural works, and workshops all contributed to raising awareness and understanding of Arctic issues both in Scotland and internationally. Embedded local facilitators and pre-existing partner relationships were key to enabling engagement with Arctic communities.

Project impacts, outcomes and strategic alignment

Fund recipients and strategic stakeholders recognised the disproportionately significant positive impact of the Fund when compared to its small size. As discussed above, there is a large range of resources and outputs which have been produced by ACF-funded projects. These have served to raise Scotland’s international profile with regards to Arctic issues and also improve understanding of the Arctic and its issues and challenges within Scotland. The development of outputs such as tools, and artwork, can be engaged with by both Scottish and Arctic stakeholders, and support multilateral understanding of issues. Reports, articles, and other academic outputs, have fostered collaboration between Scottish academia, Arctic academia, and other arctic stakeholders, the impacts of which will help to embed Arctic connections in academic research leading to collaboration and relationship building in other areas also.

In the funding recipient survey, respondents were asked what outcomes, and relevant thematic areas of the ACPF their projects had aligned with. These were manifold; however, key themes addressed included transnational collaboration and knowledge exchange, sustainable economic development and environmental and climate awareness. In the Scottish Government survey of funding recipients, the most represented key theme was Climate Change, Environment and Clean Energy (62%) followed by Education, Research and Innovation, and Cultural Ties (both 54%) and Rural Connections (46%), with Sustainable Economic Development being the least represented (23%). Although sustainable economic development was reflected the least in the survey, there was a number of projects which touched on this form the entire group of fund recipients, even if this was not the main focus. For example, a number of the projects covering clean energy also have a strong just transition element.

Projects relating to the development of cultural trails for tourism, rural regeneration, food sovereignty and participatory storytelling all reported components of community-led, participatory and place-based approaches. This also aligns with the Scottish Government’s commitment to a Feminist Approach to International Relations. Sustainable economic development was seen in answers relating to net zero rural business models and tourism strategies. Projects often linked local communities and economies with environmental responsibility referring to shipping emissions, glacial run-off, biodiversity monitoring, and communicating climate awareness through art.

This highlights an important dimension of funding like the ACF: supporting creative and cultural projects can engage broader audiences and strengthen international relationships in ways that traditional research-focused projects may not. It also suggests that future funds could actively encourage a greater share of non-academic applicants, such as artists, cultural organisations, or community groups, to broaden the types of engagement and impact achieved. Targeted outreach, simplified application processes for non-academic organisations, and showcasing the value of cultural outputs could help diversify participation and amplify the overall influence of similar funding programmes.

Survey recipients also indicated strong alignment with other Scottish and international policy. Multiple survey responses referred specifically to other policies such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, highlighting good alignment with wider policy and strategy. While not explicitly stated, responses also aligned with the Scottish Government’s Vision for Trade^[1], for example, by supporting sustainable economic engagement, fostering international partnerships, and enhancing Scotland’s presence in Arctic trade and research networks. The majority of fund recipients who responded to the Scottish Government survey (85%) also recognise that the project has had broader impact on policy, practice, or understanding of Arctic issues in Scotland and of Scottish issues in the Arctic.

Multilateral understanding of Scottish and Arctic issues

As discussed in Chapter 3, a focus of the ACPF has been on influencing engagement and understanding on Arctic issues, and driving Scotland’s international engagement on such matters. However, the ACF has also been a key operational tool in supporting influencing and wider awareness-raising regarding Arctic-focused and associated matters. For example, ACF funding helped to deliver the key objectives of supporting multilateral understanding of Arctic and Scottish issues. Projects were commonly delivered through joint or collaborative activities involving parties from both Scottish and Arctic partners, which helped to make engagement on such issues easier. As one interviewee noted:

“Having this funding opens up so many doors and gives Scottish scholars a leg up if they want to engage with these issues – the fund has incredible value even though it is only small amounts."

A key benefit of this has been supporting the dialogue between academic, cultural, and community actors. For example, the Nordic Connections project has supported the joint publication of an academic article between UHI and the University of Lapland, with input from the local community. Talks in Scotland and Norway allowed Arctic partners to engage with Scottish policy and practice (and vice versa) deepening mutual understanding of how rural communities in Scotland and Lapland share issues, and discuss how these can be managed. As a result of the project, the partners are planning a range of further research into shared issues and challenges together. For example, Nord University and UHI planned to work together, through a summer school in 2022 for postgraduate arts students in programmes at five universities in the Arctic. This highlights how lessons from Scotland and the Arctic can bilaterally influence academia on key issues, such as sustainable tourism and rural development in Scotland, and strengthened understanding of the key issue.

As well as understanding of current issues and challenges in each area, the projects also allowed partners to share skills and ways of working. For example, one recipient explains how while working with their Arctic partner, they introduced them to online practices such as sharing outputs through online meetings. This not only supported with the project, but has also opened the door to this Arctic partner working digitally with more international partners in the future. The recipient noted that:

“We introduced them to remote working which unlocked the ability to work with international artists with them, also sharing proofs digitally, bringing in different ways of working."

Relationship building

Improving understanding of issues in Scotland and the Arctic, has also supported relationships through shared challenges, and learning on how to overcome these. The vast majority of projects surveyed by the Scottish Government (93%) have maintained or developed new partnerships with Arctic organisations as a result of the project. For example, recipients at SRUC were able to build a network of academics and stakeholders in rural, female entrepreneurship which has supported multilateral knowledge sharing on a number of key issues such as how just transition and net zero impact on rural and indigenous populations. This is illustrated by the following example provided by a recipient:

"Me and my colleague [sic] in Sweden shared a lot about just transition with indigenous populations, about conflicts with renewable energy – her being indigenous gave us a different insight. Our colleague from Canada was also involved with coastal erosion and removing rights of communities for net zero and its impacts on biodiversity…It has been vital in understanding conflicts with just transition, and the similarities we share in this across all of the research and this has also helped our understanding of what is indigenous etc."

The fund facilitated them to build a stronger international network, as they commented:

"I had these networks in other countries I’ve worked in but not to this level."

The deepening of relationships has also had material impacts such as the exchange programme run by the Polar Academy which has influenced the development of an adjacent Greenlandic initiative supported by the Danish Government which also facilitates the exchange of students between partners.

This resulted in a trade link between the East Greenlandic community and a sporran maker in Perth. Through the programme, Scottish partners were able to learn about the local economy of seal hunting and sewing, while Greenlandic partners gained insight into sporran crafting in Perth. The partners established a trade agreement to use Greenlandic seal skins to craft sporrans. Beyond the economic benefits, this partnership supports the ongoing practice and vibrancy of both cultural traditions.

This example also highlights a broader benefit of the ACF: by making funding accessible to non-academic and culturally focused partners, the Fund enabled innovative collaborations that may not have arisen through traditional research-focused funding. It illustrates how targeted outreach and inclusive application processes can support a wider diversity of participants, extend the Fund’s impact, and foster cultural as well as economic exchange.

Other projects have supported communities in the Arctic to diversify key skills as a result of sharing understanding on issues from a Scottish perspective. One fund recipient stated how their work on Food Sovereignty has supported the Arctic partner to develop new skills based on the knowledge transferred, and this has had a lasting impact, as demonstrated by the following comment and example:

"We worked intensively with communities who went on to develop their own food sovereignty systems as a result of the project. Traveller communities interviewed more recently have continued to discuss the project and its lasting impacts on their understanding of food sovereignty."

There has been a wide range of people who have developed relationships with Arctic partners, including those in academia, policy makers, school children and charities. The types of relationships developed included knowledge and resource sharing, and economic partnerships. This illustrates the strong impact the funding has had through supported project activity.

Summary

Strategic impact and alignment: ACF-funded projects aligned with multiple thematic priorities, including transnational collaboration, knowledge exchange, sustainable economic development, environmental and climate awareness, and community-led participatory approaches. Projects also reflected broader Scottish and international policy, including the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Scottish Government’s Vision for Trade, and incorporated elements of the Scottish Government’s commitment to a Feminist Approach to International Relations. This demonstrates alignment with overarching strategic objectives while emphasising inclusive, participatory, and equitable approaches in project design and delivery.

Multilateral understanding and relationship building: Projects facilitated bilateral knowledge exchange, strengthened cultural understanding, and enabled new ways of working, such as digital collaboration methods. Relationships were formed and deepened across academic, cultural, and community actors, with 93% of survey respondents maintaining or developing new Arctic partnerships. Projects led to tangible outcomes including joint research, student exchanges, and community-level collaborations, including trade links and skill development in Arctic communities.

Scotland’s Arctic presence

The ACF has also allowed for the creation of new international links to work in the Arctic, which would otherwise not have occurred given the reduced opportunities for international collaboration and activity since the UK left the EU. As one interviewee noted:

“Our motivation was the opportunity to work on a specific topic in the Arctic, there haven’t been many collaboration opportunities with Norway, especially after Brexit.”

This finding is also reflected in the Scottish Government survey of recipients, with almost all of respondents identifying the benefits of transnational collaboration and knowledge exchange as some of the main impacts of funding. Some of the vehicles through which survey respondents facilitated this collaboration were the exchange of teaching materials, empirical research, and art. Recipients interviewed emphasised that the Framework allowed Scotland to demonstrate leadership on Arctic issues such as climate change and rural development, which they otherwise may not have had the opportunity to do, and the following comment reflects this:

“Particularly in early stages of ACF project delivery, this has broadened or enhanced awareness and understanding of Arctic stakeholders through focus on climate emergency. This really drew eyes onto that. Proper leadership on some things, leadership from Scottish partners was incredible.”

Summary

Scotland’s Arctic presence: ACF funding enabled Scotland to establish new international links, enhance its leadership on Arctic issues, and increase its visibility, particularly in a post-Brexit context. Projects allowed Scottish organisations to demonstrate expertise on climate, rural development, and cultural exchange, which might not have been possible without the Fund. This strengthened Scotland’s profile and credibility in Arctic and Sub-Arctic regions.

Long-term impacts

Many projects have been catalytic for ongoing collaboration on outputs between Scottish and Arctic partners. This has materialised in the form of successful funding applications from partners, as well as growing international networks of collaborators. In the survey of funding recipients, the vast majority (85%) of respondents reported continuing to work on Arctic related issues following completion of the funded project. Post-ACF funding collaboration was also noted by recipients through consultation interviews.

Ongoing collaboration between partners

UArctic is a decentralised network of academic partners promoting research across the Arctic region, including in Scotland. Since ACF delivery, Scottish university membership has increased considerably, with the majority of Higher Education institutions now members. For example, SRUC explicitly attribute their membership to their successful ACF project. More Scottish universities are also supporting UArctic’s north2north mobility programme, facilitating student exchanges between Scottish and Arctic universities and providing opportunities to study in different parts of the North.

These developments demonstrate that the cultural and academic exchanges initiated through ACF projects have continued beyond the lifespan of the Fund, fostering sustained relationships and collaboration between Scottish and Arctic institutions. This ongoing engagement supports the objectives of the ACPF by strengthening Scotland’s academic networks in the Arctic, enhancing knowledge exchange, and contributing to long-term capacity-building in Arctic research and education.

New funding and institutional support

The project activity has also resulted in several projects receiving additional funding from other sources for further Arctic work, with over half of the organisations surveyed by the Scottish Government (54%) stating that they had received further funding for Arctic work following completion of the project. The total amount of funding secured following completion of the ACF projects which responded to the Scottish Government survey was over £887,000.

Notable significant awards include:

• The University of Aberdeen receiving £259k in funding from the British Academy Knowledge Frontiers Grant (2024-26) to continue research with Duke University and an Inuit-led artist community in Kinngait, Nunavut.
• The network of rural, female entrepreneurs, which SRUC is a part of, has been granted £2 million in funding from the Canadian Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), to continue the same research project.
• Stirling, Strathclyde, and Bergen universities are part of a group which received £300,000 in funding from Horizon Europe, to continue their LANMARCs work.

Funders mentioned by survey recipients include:

• UK Government/ FCDO
• British Academy
• Royal Society of Edinburgh
• UKRI / JPI
• HX Foundation
• Horizon Europe
• British Arctic Survey
• University of Manitoba
• NERC UK Greenland Research Bursary

While the ACF grants were relatively small and capped at modest amounts, this limitation can also be seen as a strength. The funding allowed organisations to pilot projects, test approaches, and explore new partnerships with relatively low risk. Many of these small-scale projects generated impacts that extended beyond their initial scope, catalysing additional funding, partnerships, and activities that were not originally envisaged. This demonstrates how even limited financial support can act as a strategic lever, enabling experimentation, innovation, and longer-term outcomes that amplify the value of the initial investment.

Summary

Long-term impact: Many projects acted as catalysts for ongoing collaboration between Scottish and Arctic partners. This included additional funding for further Arctic work, with over half of the surveyed organisations securing more than £887,000 collectively. Institutional engagement also increased, with more Scottish universities joining the UArctic and participating in the north2north mobility programme. These outcomes indicate that ACF projects created enduring networks, knowledge-sharing mechanisms, and collaborative opportunities that extend beyond the life of individual projects.

Summary of benefits/impacts of ACF/ACPF

The Arctic Connections Fund (ACF) has supported the strategic objectives of the Arctic Connections Policy Framework (ACPF) by enabling Scotland to build international links, strengthen academic and cultural collaboration, and enhance its profile in Arctic and Sub-Arctic regions. Funded projects have produced digital tools, academic research, workshops, cultural works, and community-led initiatives, facilitating knowledge exchange, capacity building, and innovation across Scottish and Arctic partners.

Many projects have catalysed ongoing collaborations, additional funding, and sustained institutional engagement, including increased Scottish participation in UArctic and the north2north mobility programme. By making funding accessible to both academic and non-academic partners, the ACF has enabled creative, inclusive, and cross-sectoral projects that may not have been possible through traditional research funding.

These outcomes demonstrate the value of the ACF in supporting soft diplomacy, raising Scotland’s visibility and credibility, and creating enduring relationships and knowledge-sharing mechanisms. They also underline the importance of continued Arctic-specific funding and policy focus, while challenges and contrary opinions are addressed in the next chapter.