Connecting Scotland: SAFE, Europe and the voices of young people

Chloe Craig reflects on how we have helped connect Scotland’s lived experience voice to conversations happening beyond our borders.

Through the Scottish Advisory Forum on Europe (SAFE) and our Youth Participation Programme, the Strategic Partnerships, External Affairs and Outreach team has helped ensure Scotland remains outward‑looking, influential and connected, even as the geopolitical landscape continues to shift. 

At its heart, SAFE was about connection. It was established to strengthen Scotland’s relationships with European partners, deepen understanding of European policy developments, and ensure lived experience informs Scotland’s contribution to wider conversations. This work reflects the ethos that has guided the ALLIANCE for two decades; bringing people together, amplifying voices that are often overlooked, and creating spaces where collaboration can flourish. 

Over the past several years, Europe has undergone profound change. Brexit, the war in Ukraine, and shifting global dynamics have reshaped political and economic relationships across the continent. These developments affect daily life in Scotland – from the cost of food and the security of our energy supply to the availability of medicines and the standards that shape public health. SAFE provides a vital portal for civil society to engage with these issues, ensuring that communities, organisations and young people have a voice in the conversations that influence real‑world impacts. 

The strength of SAFE lies in the relationships it has built. By creating opportunities for collaboration and dialogue, we’ve helped strengthen connections between Scotland and European partners and ensured that lived experience remains at the centre of discussions. This work was recognised with the EmpowerEU Award for Inspiring European Connections, reflecting the collective effort and commitment of everyone involved. 

A proud milestone in recent years has been the establishment of our Youth Participation Programme, ensuring that young people’s voices actively shape the future of health and social care. Through this work, young people have contributed to policy development and represented Scotland in Brussels, including opportunities to visit the European Parliament, meet policymakers and explore how youth voice influences decision making at a European level. 

Perhaps most importantly, these experiences have provided young people with the confidence to speak up on issues that matter to them. It has given them a platform to share their perspectives and develop new skills, while strengthening Scotland’s connections across Europe.

As we celebrate 20 years of the ALLIANCE, this work is a reminder that our impact has always extended beyond organisations, networks or borders. It’s about creating opportunities for people to be heard, building connections that inspire change and ensuring that lived experience continues to shape the future. As we look ahead, those relationships, and the voices at the heart of them, will remain one of our greatest strengths.

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