SCOTLAND’S independent EU think thank is suspending work as the organisation faces a lack of funding.
The Scottish Centre on European Relations (SCER) has produced in-depth work on the future of Scotland’s links to the EU over the last three years.
Just last month the expert body published a report stating an independent Scotland could still rejoin the EU within “four to five years” of applying for membership after a Yes vote despite the coronavirus pandemic.
READ MORE: Scotland could rejoin EU four-five years after indy, expert says
Kirsty Hughes, the centre’s director, said she was “sorry” to announce the news this morning. In a statement she said: “SCER has made a major contribution to European debate in Scotland & beyond in the last three and a bit years. But for now we must pause.
“We've done a huge amount of work but we needed core funding to let us continue to make a serious contribution to the vital debates on Europe and global affairs at a time of the global Covid-19 crisis and the associated political and economic crises.”
She thanked everyone who has contributed to the centre’s work – which comprises of 200 reports, papers and blogs – and 40 events held across Scotland, Dublin, Brussels and London.
Hughes went on: “We couldn’t have run such an active, high profile think tank without the contributions, support, encouragement & participation of a large number of people & organisations – our huge thanks to them all.”
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