Highlands and Islands Regional Economic Partnership unveils ten-year strategy for regional growth

29th April 2025

The Highlands and Islands Regional Economic Partnership (HIREP)'s Regional Economic Strategy addresses the challenges affecting the region's businesses and communities.

A partnership of public, private and academic organisations in the Highlands and Islands has unveiled its ten-year strategy to deliver sustainable economic growth across the region.

The Highlands and Islands Regional Economic Partnership (HIREP)'s Regional Economic Strategy 2025-2035 presents a vision of a thriving, resilient and inclusive region in 2035.

Aligning with the goals of member organisations, the strategy addresses the challenges affecting the region’s businesses and communities, including high cost of living, population and connectivity.

It sets out the importance of regional-scale collaborative actions necessary to address those challenges while capitalising on ‘once-in-a-generation’ opportunities that could deliver thousands of jobs and millions of pounds into the economy.

Informed by research, analysis, stakeholder surveys and a consultation, it spells out a commitment to deliver high quality, affordable housing as well as enhanced transport and digital infrastructure.

There’s a focus on renewable energy and the need tomaximise economic and community benefits while driving the region’s transition to net zero emissions.

The need to enhance skills and workforce capabilities to meet future demands is emphasised.

Current chair of HIREP is Cllr Raymond Bremner, Leader of The Highland Council. He said, "The Highlands and Islands is a region with tremendous potential. Realising that potential and building a vibrant economy and leading Scotland’s transition to net zero requires collaboration on a very broad scale.

"That’s what this strategy is all about. It’s a major step in our joint efforts to build a dynamic, connected, resilient and prosperous Highlands and Islands. I very much look forward to working with the HIREP partners to deliver the actions that will make a real and lasting difference."

HIREP was established in 2021 to bring together public, private, academic and third sector interests in pursuit of economic opportunities and addressing challenges across the region. It is one of eight Regional Economic Partnerships in Scotland.

Since its inception, it has worked across several policy areas including housing, population attraction and retention, skills, childcare, and community wealth building, as well as sectoral opportunities.

It emphasises collaboration, community benefit and leveraging regional strengths to address unique challenges and opportunities. HIREP plays a key role in a developing a regional vision for delivery of the Scottish Government’s National Strategy for Economic Transformation (NSET).

Membership of the HIREP includes local authorities, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland, Scottish Funding Council, UHI, NatureScot, VisitScotland, Bord na Gaidhlig, HITRANS, Cairngorm National Park Authority, the Crofting Commission, business representatives and third sector organisations.