An emerging North Sea macro-region? Implications for Scotland

International networks provide opportunities for learning and collaboration on development, resilience, and recovery. Cooperation in northern Europe suggests that there could be knowledge and good practice transfers from the experiences of the Baltic Sea macro-region to neighboring areas. The periphery around the North Sea has taken a leading role in developing innovative institutional approaches to resilient and sustainable economic development. A multilevel governance approach examines whether this emerging cooperation could benefit from the macro-regional approach. The role of regional development agencies and European Partnerships in these kinds of environments is contrasted with experiences in less developed institutional landscapes. Scotland’s ambiguous position is discussed.