Beyond Borders Scotland aims to create a vibrant international platform within Scotland, to break down borders between peoples, and help facilitate wider international cultural exchange, dialogue and reconciliation.

A one-of-a-kind event, Beyond Borders International Festival brings together internationally renowned writers, artists, cultural commentators, diplomats and politicians to exchange ideas with each other and the public about some of the most interesting and pressing issues of our time. This stimulating weekend of debate also includes bike rides, literary walks, art exhibitions and performances, all in the inspiring surroundings of Traquair House. During the weekend, we also curate a number of private lunches, dinners and tête-à-têtes to facilitate the development of new projects and innovative collaborations. This combination of public and intimate interactions is what makes the Festival unique. Over the last ten years, we have embarked on an incredible journey which has seen the Festival grow and flourish.

Now approaching our 10th anniversary, the on-going assistance of our friends and supporters will be vital in allowing us to continue to enhance and develop the programme, and to allow us to bring even more exceptional people from around the world to Scotland to tell their tales. As such, we hope that you may consider offering your benefaction with this aim in mind, and become an integral part of this journey. There are three different ways to become involved in the Beyond Borders Scotland:

• Become a BB Friend for exclusive access to updates and special rate tickets to the Beyond Borders International Festival weekend programme and other events within our Summer Cultural Programme
• Sponsor the Beyond Borders International Festival to get access to a uniquely international and engaged audience,
• Partner with Beyond Borders Scotland and join the network creating our range of summer cultural activities or variety of dialogue projects.

BB Friends

Beyond Borders Friends are a network of dedicated supporters of the Beyond Borders International Festival, and represent an invaluable commitment to the vision of Beyond Borders Scotland and our annual summer programme of artistic, cultural and political activities.

The support of Beyond Borders Friends enables the continued development of the festival as a hub for international ideas, debate and diplomacy, as well as, a unique platform for local and international writers and artists to showcase their work. The two-day festival also provides opportunities for talented young people and marginalised groups to create and participate in the community event and a space for local Borders businesses to showcase their work.

Your support will help Beyond Borders Scotland to continue to make the festival inclusive and diverse, to promote creativity and to keep our community engaged with the wider world.

Individual membership costs as little as £100 for your first year, and £75 for each subsequent year.

Become a BB Friend, and in exchange you will receive a host of benefits:

• Unlimited Special Rate Beyond Borders International Festival tickets
• Exclusive invitations to the opening night receptions of all Summer Exhibitions
• Annual Festival Friends photograph taken at the Festival
• Special thanks in the Festival programme, along with the previous year’s Festival Friends photograph
• Subscription to Beyond Borders Friends newsletters with preferential updates from the Beyond Borders Team
• If you would like to become a Beyond Borders Friend, please complete this form or contact us for further information.

BB Festival Sponsors

Sponsoring the Beyond Borders International Festival is a great way to showcase your organisation or business at a uniquely international event to a diverse and engaged audience. There are a range of opportunities for involvement across the cultural, artistic and high-profile political events we run throughout the summer; and within the Beyond Borders International Festival itself, including the Main Tent which hosts panel debates and thematic talks, and the Walled Garden, a hub for the creative programme and the sustainable marketplace, which hosts a range of local producers and businesses.

Previous sponsors have included Alyn Smith MSP, who has sponsored inclusion and outreach activities including BB Question Time, and Clouds Property Management, who sponsors our fabulous Clouds Marquee in the Walled Garden!

As a sponsor, every package is unique, however as a sponsor you could contribute to, and benefit from the Festival as a fantastic platform for engaging young people in creative industries, inspiring the next generation of leaders; build our sustainable market place into a thriving hub to showcase local businesses or; help grow the Festival and the profile of the Scottish Borders as a hub of social, political and cultural vibrancy.

We offer flexible and bespoke sponsorship packages. However our basic package starts with:

• Brand exposure on select areas or initiatives at the Beyond Borders International Festival
• Free and reserved locations in our sustainable market place
• Free tickets to the Festival for the business (number determined by level of support)
• Promotion, acknowledgement and thanks in our programmes and on our website and social media channels

BB Festival Partners

Beyond Borders International Festival collaborates with a variety of partners to develop the annual cultural and political programme. Previous partnerships have resulted in a Scottish showcase and tour of Hard Truths, an award-winning exhibition by The New York Times; film screenings, talks and an exhibition with Conciliation Resources on peacebuilding and trauma; and a striking instillation, run in collaboration with the Knitting Circle, Jinda and Wadi called A Mile in their Shoes, reflecting the tales and fat of survivors of Daesh.

Media Partners

Beyond Borders International Festival 2019 is proudly receiving support from The Skinny.

We are once again delighted to be working with The New York Times on their Carbon’s Casualties and #ThisIs18 exhibitions, and panel discussion with Stephan Dunbar Johnson, president, International at Beyond Borders International Festival 2019.

Beyond Borders International Festival 2018 received support from The Skinny, and would also like to thank The New York Times, the BBC and the Border Telegraph for their support and engagement, particularly in BB Question Time, our initiative bringing together aspiring young journalists with our keynote speakers for debate and dialogue.

BB Project Partners

Beyond Borders Scotland collaborates extensively with governments, academia, civil society experts and organisations to provide projects focused on conflict transformation, peacebuilding and rule of law, as well as providing a platform for international legal, diplomatic and cultural exchange.

Various partner organisations include the Scottish Government, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Intermediate, the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, The Bar Council of England and Wales, John Smith Memorial Trust, Chatham House, the British Council and the Democratic Progress Institute.

For more information on our projects and partnership opportunities, please contact info@beyondbordersscotland.com or visit our projects page