EmPowering Shetland

"Growth that combines increased prosperity with greater equity;

that creates opportunities for all."

EmPowering Shetland is a strategic, place-based initiative focused on achieving inclusive economic growth, tackling inequalities, and ensuring Shetland communities benefit from large-scale development and the transition to a net zero economy.  The initiative aims to create a vibrant, resilient and sustainable future for everyone in Shetland.

EmPowering Shetland brings together partners from the public, private and community sectors, led by Shetland Islands Council and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.  Other partners include UHI Shetland, Lerwick Port Authority, Community Energy Scotland, Aquatera, EMEC and others.

The initiative is now progressing from strategy to delivery, with progress including the establishment of the Fair Share for Shetland framework – setting out shared expectations for community wealth building, fair value, and local benefit from energy developments.  Partners have also undertaken early engagement with developers to promote community benefit, supply chain opportunities and strong environmental protections.

Three figures in a line, one in green, one in purple and one in orange. There is a white arrow, outlined blue, curving from bottom left to top right, pointing upwards.

We are working to:

  • Improve access to opportunities and reduce inequality
  • Attract and retain the people needed to sustain our economy, communities and services
  • Enable accessible, high-quality jobs and grow a skilled workforce
  • Build local capacity to support investment, infrastructure and resilient supply chains

A Shetland-led offshore wind monitoring group has been created, giving the islands a stronger voice in environmental leadership and marine stewardship.  Collaboration across sectors has also been strengthened through working groups linking the energy transition with housing, skills, transport and wider community priorities.  Partners are further engaging with industry on workforce and key worker accommodation solutions to support sustainable development.

Priority Sectors:

Energy | Space | Fishing & Aquaculture | Agriculture

Delivering on:

Scotland’s National Strategy for Economic Transformation, Community Wealth Building, Local Child Poverty Action Plan.

Delivered through:

  • Inclusive Growth Strategic Framework – ensuring that climate action contributes to economic inclusion, community wealth-building, and fair access to opportunity.  Next steps will focus on embedding this framework into practice with developers and communities, expanding case studies of community wealth building, and ensuring future investment in Shetland reflects the principle of inclusive growth.
  • Highlands and Islands Enterprise Strategy 2023–2028 – supporting business transition to net zero and investment in green skills, infrastructure, and innovation.
  • Local Housing Strategy – addressing fuel poverty and improving energy efficiency in homes through retrofit and zero-carbon new builds.
  • Regional Transport Strategy – improving sustainable transport options across Shetland, including ferry decarbonisation and local mobility solutions.
  • R100 Programme – improving digital connectivity to reduce the need for travel and enable remote work, learning, and access to services.
  • Shetland Energy Strategy – guiding the transition to affordable, secure, and sustainable energy with a focus on local benefit, innovation, and resilience.

Blogs and Updates

The EmPowering Shetland icon

Blog Post: EmPowering Shetland - Building Prosperity Through Partnership and Local Action

Key Contacts:

Katrina Wiseman (Area Manager, Highlands and Islands Enterprise)
Neil Grant (Director of Development Services, Shetland Islands Council)

Resources:

Highlands and Islands Enterprise and SIC Development Services, with ongoing efforts to secure external grants and investment for Shetland’s communities.