There was a time when Central Scotland was seen mainly as the “corridor” between cities. A place defined by its roads, post-industrial towns, and hidden green spaces. But for 15 years, that image has changed, thanks in large part to the vision and partnership behind the Central Scotland Green Network (CSGN). 

The CSGN isn’t just a project or a concept. It’s a movement. A network of communities, local authorities, charities, businesses, landowners and government agencies all working together with one clear goal: to make Central Scotland greener, fairer, and more prosperous.  

Central Scotland has been through change. The change is happening with our communities, not just around them, and people have noticed the change.  

The Central Scotland Green Network was conceived, with a big ambition, to transform 10,000 square kilometres of central Scotland over a 40-year timeframe into a healthier, more resilient, and equitable landscape. Making it one of the biggest projects of its kind in Europe. Its purpose was and remains clear, to respond directly to the interconnected challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental inequality.

From the outset, previous and current the Scottish Governments have recognised the importance of the CSGN and placed its delivery under the oversight of the Environment and Economy Leaders Group (EELG). Acting on behalf of government, the EELG brought together the agencies central to environmental policy and land management: Forestry and Land Scotland, NatureScot, SEPA, Scottish Forestry, and the Scottish Land Commission, Marine Scotland, The Crofting Commission, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park and Cairngorms National Park. Their shared role was to ensure that the CSGN network developed in alignment with national priorities while benefiting from collaboration across the public sector.

From the start, the CSGN was woven into the fabric of national policy. Its importance was recognised in Scotland’s National Planning Framework, and now it is an important strand in delivering the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy and other key national targets. Over time, it inspired and supported large-scale projects like the Clyde Climate Forest, the Leven Programme and the Inner Forth Initiative. As these multi-themed partnership projects have emerged, they have enabled greater scope for public sector efficiency, with ever closer working across key policy areas such as the twin crisis of climate emergency and biodiversity loss. Piece by piece, the vision of the CSGN has grown closer to reality, showing how collective action can transform landscapes and lives across central Scotland.