Scotland has a thriving and diverse peacebuilding sector that makes a powerful contribution to peace and conflict resolution both within and outside Scotland. Identifying the potential for a focal point to connect different organisations and initiatives, The Scottish Programme for Government 2021 committed to establishing a Peace Institute in Scotland.
In 2022, the Scottish Government commissioned a report into the potential for a Peace Institute. Produced by Professor Christine Bell, Dr Monalisa Adikhari, Chris Thornton, and Andy Carl, the report highlights the increasing complexity of the conflict landscape and recognises Scotland’s distinctive offer in this space. The report emphasises that the process of establishing a Peace Institute should be iterative, evidence-based, monitored and evaluated throughout, and adaptive to the needs and wants of the Scottish peace sector. The SPP is the first step in this process.
In 2024, the Scottish Government published a call for proposals for a Scottish Peace Programme, which comprised two strands: a new Scottish Peace Platform, and the continuation of the Women in Conflict 1325 Fellowship Programme hosted by Beyond Borders Scotland in partnership with Edinburgh Law School that has already trained more than 360 women peacebuilders from 40 conflict-affected countries since 2017. Beyond Borders Scotland and the University of Edinburgh Law School submitted a successful bid for this project, and were granted funding to facilitate the SPP.
The SPP has now completed an inception period from March to September 2025. Launch activities including a webinar and AGM will take place in Autumn 2025. More detailed plans for the SPP’s areas of focus and first activities will be shared in Autumn 2025.