Two New Supporting Organisations
January 2026
We are delighted that The David Hume Institute and the Centre for Responsible Debate have agreed to become supporting organisations.
The David Hume Institute was established in 1985. It is one of Scotland’s most respected research bodies and focusses on economic, social and policy challenges. The Institute strongly supports the power of diversity of thought and the value of bringing people together in an atmosphere of respectful debate.
The Centre for Responsible Debate is grounded in the belief that inclusive and respectful dialogue can help find shared purpose and inclusive solutions, even amongst those who disagree deeply.
They are both excellent partners for the Scottish People’s Meeting and we look forward to working together to take the project forward.
Discussions with potential hosts
December 2025 – January 2026
The team had an excellent meeting with Pippa Milne – Chief Executive of Argyll and Bute – on 8 January to explain the People’s Meeting concept and set out the benefits that this can bring to local economies. This followed on from a meeting on 19 December with Thomas Glen – Chief Executive for Perth and Kinross. Many thanks to both for their interest and time. Both regions would be excellent hosts for the Peoples Meeting. We look forward to working together and, as a next step, welcoming representatives from the councils to our public event that will be held in Edinburgh on 6 March (details to follow).
The main criteria we have been using to identify potential locations are:
Dynamic local leadership
Not too close to the Capital … but not too difficult to get to
An attractive location
Physical ability to host the event including good tourist infrastructure
The team visited Rothesay and it was clear that Bute has a great potential as a location. The town has been a tourist destination for decades and the people were welcoming and enthusiastic. The castle and esplanade could be excellent sites. There are also first class modern facilities including the Pavilion which is being renovated and due to open in 2027.
Scoping visit to Rothesay
November 2025
Winter Gardens building
View from ferry en route to Rothesay
Bute Yard events venue
EU-UK Youth Dialogue 2025
6 - 7 November 2025
The EU - UK Youth Dialogue is an event which aims to strengthen youth participation in policy discussions and encourage engagement with the European Union. This year the event was hosted by Newcastle University and co-organised by the EU Delegation to the United Kingdom, with support from the European Parliament Liaison Office in the UK and the European Economic and Social Committee.
Cameron attended the EU - UK Youth Dialogue on behalf of The People’s Meeting and as a member of the youth subcommittee of the Scottish Advisory Forum on Europe (SAFE).
The event provided a great opportunity to bring attention to The People’s Meeting and discuss its role within broader UK and EU policy objectives.
EU Ambassador to the UK Pedro Serrano making speech
Cameron and Peter Byrne of the EU Economic Social Committee
Smiles from SAFE delegation to EU - UK Youth Dialogue
Democracy Festival a Massive Boost to Local Economy
24th September 2025
A report looking into the effects of Folkemødet on the Bornholm economy was released by the Centre for Regional and Tourism Research (CRT). The report found that Folkemødet is highly important to the Bornholm economy, and plays a central role in raising awareness of the island.
The report concludes that Folkemødet accounts for 5-6% of the total tourism on Bornholm, and generates £23-27 million in additional tourism spending. It is also estimated to generate 100-116 additional jobs and £700,000 in local taxes for the island economy.
This report provides evidence of the successes of Folkemødet, and shows that democracy festivals such as The People’s Meeting can be highly valuable to local economies.
Full report available here (Danish only): https://folkemoedet.dk/media/puso41sy/analyse-af-folkemødet-samfundsøkonomiske-værdi-for-bornholm_2025.pdf
Festival of Politics 2025
The People’s Meeting team showcased the project by setting up a stall in Scottish Parliament during the Festival of Politics 2025. The team raised awareness of the People’s Meeting by speaking with visitors and meeting with members of COSLA, Scottish Labour and Scottish Liberal Democrats.
The Festival of Politics provided an important opportunity for the People’s meeting team to increase support for the organisation and discuss next steps.
20 - 22 August 2025
Smiles from Katrine and Cameron at People’s Meeting stall
Festival visitor discussing ideas with People’s Meeting team
Scottish Parliament’s Garden Lobby during Festival of Politics
First evaluation of potential locations
The visit to Bornholm confirmed that the key criteria for the eventual location include: being reasonably far from Edinburgh and Glasgow, at the same time being quite easy to get to, having a good tourist infrastructure and being an attractive destination.
The scoping trip began in beautiful Oban: a huge thanks to Jim Lynch from the Argyll and Bute Council for taking time to meet, for his support and for his practical advice. Other places visited were Fort William, Aviemore and Pitlochry (thanks to Chad Damro from Edinburgh University for this suggestion). We will be travelling to other locations over the summer and also reaching out to local government.
June / July 2025
Fort William Main Street
Oban
Aviemore
Pitlochry Festival Theatre
On June 13 and 14 a Scottish delegation visited the 2025 Fokemødet on the Danish island of Bornholm to experience the festival first hand and to learn more about how the event is run.
The delegation included MPs Stephen Gethins and Brendan O’Hara, director of the John Smith Centre Eddie Barnes, senior director at Electoral Reform Society Willie Sullivan, Chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament Ellie Craig and Rory Chapman from the EU Youth Advisory Committee.
The group met with former Danish PM Helle Thorning-Schmidt, Fokemødet founder and former minister Bertil Haarder, the Nordic Council, the current Director of the Fokemødet Signe Saabye Ottosen as well as with representatives from Bornholm Municipality and local businesses.
Scottish Delegation to the Danish Folkemodet
12 - 14 June 2025
Martijn Quinn speaks with the Director of Folkemødet Signe Saabye Ottosen
Scottish delegation discussing the concept with UK ambassador to Denmark Joëlle Jenny
Introductory tour from head of community/ international engagement at Folkemødet Fiona Ross
The People’s Meeting project was officially launched with a workshop generously hosted by the Royal Society of Edinburgh.
The audience included MPs and MSPs from different political parties as well as representatives from civil society, different Scottish Government departments and academia.
The high level of interest, and many good suggestions, provided a great basis to take the project forward.
RSE Launch Event
28 February 2025
Martijn Quinn and Fiona Ross organising presentation
RSE launch event
Blogs
What Denmark’s Folkemødet can teach us about rebuilding trust in democracy
Maybe it’s time we built our own spaces—literal and metaphorical—where democracy can grow and flourish.
Willie Sullivan - Senior Director at the Electoral Reform Society
What can Scotland learn from Denmark’s Folkemødet?
We need events like Folkemødet to uphold the values of free speech and free association. We need political events that don’t just involve members of the political elite talking only to themselves.
Eddie Barnes - Director of the John Smith Centre
Cultural vibrance and people power
“The gap between people’s lives and politics was gone, and I could see democracy functioning right in front of me.”
Cameron Stedman - People’s Meeting volunteer