35 organisations and individuals in running for national awards
The finalists for this year’s Scottish Charity Awards have been revealed.
Run annually by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), the Scottish Charity Awards celebrate the best of Scotland’s voluntary sector.
This year’s shortlist includes 35 individuals and organisations from charities and voluntary groups across the country.
A judging panel will determine the winners under nine distinct categories following a rigorous shortlisting process.
Winners will be announced on 11 June 2026 in a celebratory awards ceremony hosted by broadcaster Sally Magnusson at the Raddison Blu in Glasgow.
Anna Fowlie, Chief Executive, SCVO said: “Across Scotland and beyond, voluntary organisations are making an extraordinary difference, and the breadth and depth of their impact never fail to inspire. Our 2026 finalists epitomise this.
“Our voluntary sector is truly essential to Scottish society – we see the positive impact organisation and individuals make in communities across the country every single day.
“Best of luck to all of our finalists, and I look forward to celebrating with them in June as we highlight the phenomenal work each and every one of them contributes to.”
The full shortlist for 2026 is:
Campaign of the Year
Buglife – The Invertebrate Conservation Trust – Don’t Neglect The Night
Victim Support Scotland – It’s the final chance of getting to the truth
Who Cares? Scotland – Action on Advocacy
Scottish Environment LINK – Scotland Loves Nature
Volunteer of the Year
Men Matter Scotland – Jim Cassidy
Govan Housing Association – David Wright
Midlothian Community Action – McKenzie Rayner
Fife Pride – Jenny Black
Climate Impact
Crail Community Partnership – Turning Crail into a sustainable community
Letham Climate Challenge
Magpie (Part of Aberdeenshire Voluntary Action)
Social Flock
Employee of the Year
The Killie Community – Scott Montgomery
Reach Lanarkshire Autism – Keith Manson
Mark Williams Foundation – Sarah Peacock
Grey Matters Active Ageing – Alison Gildea
Partnership of the Year
Care4Calais Scotland & Passion4Fusion – Saturday Football
Space at The Broomhouse Hub & the Edinburgh International Festival – Edinburgh International Festival in Space
The Junction, Granton Youth, Wester Hailes Youth Agency, Canongate Youth & 6VT – Time to Talk
ATAP: Aberdeen Task and Activation Partnership
Dogs for Good & Inverclyde Royal Hospital – Community Dog Stroke Support Partnership
Trustee of the Year
Bedrule Church Future – Alan Bailey
Glenurquhart Rural Community Association – Susan Griffin
Edinburgh’s favourite pubs are ready to raise a glass as the finalists for this year’s Scottish Bar & Pub Awards are revealed and the best go head-to-head for the ultimate industry honours.
Run by leading hospitality magazine DRAM, these awards are Scotland’s longest-running celebration of pubs, bars, and the people who make them great. Celebrating their 30th year, they’ve become the biggest night on the licensed trade calendar, where the country’s hospitality heroes get the recognition they deserve.
This year’s winners will be crowned at a glittering, Oscar-themed gala on Tuesday 26th August in Glasgow, in a night of red carpets, champagne, and high spirits! From cosy locals to cutting-edge cocktail spots, the competition is fierce, and all eyes are on who will take home the industry’s most prestigious titles.
Local finalists include the Athletic Arms, The Belfry and the Mother Superior which are up for Benromach Whisky Bar of the Year, The Cocktail Geeks, Hey Palu and Lady Libertine who are fighting it out to become Brugal 1888 Cocktail Bar of the Year and the Boston Bar, Malones, O’Connnor’s and Seamus’s who are all hoping to be crowned Jameson Best Irish Bar!
However, with nearly 25 award categories, there are plenty more local legends, rising stars, and incredible venues all hoping for their moment in the spotlight – and guests can expect a few surprises on the night too!
Publisher, Susan Young, said, “We’re delighted to congratulate all our finalists from across Scotland. Thousands of customers have cast their votes to make sure their favourite pubs, bars, restaurants, and bar staff get the recognition they deserve!
“In the midst of the many challenges facing hospitality, these businesses have gone above and beyond to keep their customers happy and that hard work has not gone unnoticed. Our mystery shoppers and judges have been full of praise for the outstanding quality of entries and the exceptional service they experienced on their visits.”
Over 600 of Scotland’s hospitality stars will gather for one glittering night to see who takes home the industry’s highest honours. Here’s the full roll call of categories and contenders vying for glory:
Benromach Whisky Bar of the Year
Athletic Arms – Edinburgh
The Belfry – Edinburgh
Mother Superior – Edinburgh
The Pot Still – Glasgow
Black Ivy & Montpeliers Rising Entrepreneur of the Year
Ceceley Chambers, The Bowlers Rest – Edinburgh
Edward Fox, Encore Bars – Edinburgh
Allan Low, The Fox & Willow – Ayr
Lauren McIntosh, The Cocktail Joint – Elgin
Connie and James Taberner, Fintry Bay – Millport
Brugal 1888 Cocktail Bar of the Year
The Cocktail Geeks – Edinburgh
Hey Palu – Edinburgh
Jacks Bar, Dakota Hotel – Glasgow
Kelvingrove Café – Glasgow
Lady Libertine – Edinburgh
DRAM Dog Friendly Pub of the Year
The Anchorage – Dunure
Bag o’Nails – Glasgow
The Original Rosslyn Inn – Roslin
Weston Tavern – Kilmaurs
Campari Bar Apprentice 2025
Aimee Ashworth, La Jupe – Helensburgh
Lewis Crone, Margo – Glasgow
Cameron Evans, Lynnhurst Hotel – Johnstone
Anya Garrow, Gleneagles – Auchterarder
Callum McCarthy, Encore – Edinburgh
Stuart Robertson, Badger & Co – Edinburgh
Wesley Smith, Di Maggios – East Kilbride
Finn Truter, Brewhemia – Edinburgh
Louise Turner, Rabble – Edinburgh
De Kuyper Award For Cocktail Excellence In Neighbourhood Venues
Fifteen projects from across Scotland have been chosen as finalists for the 2024 Excellence Awards, which are COSLA’s annual celebration of Scottish Local Government success.
All 32 Scottish local authorities and partner organisations were invited over the summer to submit entries to a judging panel comprising a number of experts across local and national government as well as the private sector.
After much deliberation, our judging teams determined just 15 finalists from dozens of high-quality applications – this year, entries surpassed 200 for the second year in a row. The judges’ shortlist features a series of projects and programmes which highlighted areas of best practice and innovative service delivery over five categories; Service Innovation and Improvement, Achieving Better Outcomes for the Most Vulnerable in Partnership, Tackling Inequalities and Improving Health and Wellbeing, Strengthening Communities and Local Democracy and Just Transition to a Net Zero Economy.
Finalists will now be invited to present their projects in person to a panel of judges in August led by COSLA President Shona Morrison, who will decide on a winner in each of the 5 main categories as well as the winners of an additional 4 special awards; COSLA Chairperson’s Award, SOLACE Best Team Award, The Scottish Government – Delivering Excellence Award, and the Excellent People, Excellent Outcomes Award.
Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony at COSLA’s Annual Conference and Exhibition, which will take place on Thursday 19th September 2024 at the Crieff Hydro Hotel, Perthshire.
Councillor Shona Morrison, COSLA’s President and Chairperson of the Excellence Awards, said: “Firstly, I’d like to offer congratulations to our 15 finalists! Getting through to the final part of this awards process is no small feat, so I hope you are feeling incredibly proud of getting this far and I am really looking forward to seeing the presentations in a few weeks.
“The judging teams have let me know that the calibre of applications this year was extremely high, so I sincerely thank everyone who took the time to put in an application.
“The COSLA Excellence Awards are a highlight of my year and it’s always inspiring to hear so many positive and innovative projects coming from across Scottish local government. In such a challenging time for councils it cannot be underestimated how much these teams and the services they offer are relied upon by our communities – overcoming increasingly complex challenges every day.
“Councils do and achieve more than what is often seen or portrayed – the work of these teams affects every part of our lives, and are often a lifeline for the most vulnerable members of our communities.
“I hope you’ll join me in celebrating their efforts, and I am looking forward to the winners being announced at our awards ceremony at the COSLA Conference and Exhibition in September.”
This year’s finalists (in no particular order) are:
Category 1: Service innovation and improvement (sponsored by Scottish Water)
Shared ARC Programme – Digital Office for Local Government
Development and implementation of a Chatbot to improve the missed bins ‘experience’ for citizens – West Dunbartonshire Council
OneSource: Making a Difference with Data – Pupil Absence and Attendance – Falkirk Council
Category 2: Achieving better outcomes for the most vulnerable in partnership
Early Help Clackmannanshire – Clackmannanshire Council
My Way To Employment (MWtE) – Aberdeen City Council
A Warm Scottish Welcome – North Lanarkshire Ukrainian Resettlement Project – North Lanarkshire Council
Category 3: Tackling inequalities and improving health and wellbeing (sponsored by Public Health Scotland)
Reaching Out to People at Risk and Removing Barriers to Accessing Drug Support – Aberdeen City Council Community Planning Partnership
Marthas Mammmies – Glasgow City Council and Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health and Social Care Partnership
Breast Feeding Friendly North Lanarkshire – Leading the way in Driving Cultural Change – North Lanarkshire Council
Category 4: Strengthening communities and local democracy
Top CATs! – Dumfries and Galloway Council
Paisley Learning & Cultural Hub – Renfrewshire Council
North Ayrshire Islands Programme (incorporating North Ayrshire Islands Recovery and Renewal Pilot) – North Ayrshire Council
Category 5: Just transition to a net zero economy (sponsored by Amey)
AMIDS District Heating Network – Renfrewshire Council
Improving Inverclyde’s environment through peatland restoration – Inverclyde Council
Shetland Rural Energy Network – Shetland Islands Council
37 Scottish businesses, championing the link between economic success and environmental sustainability, have been shortlisted as finalists for the 2024 VIBES Scottish Environment Business Awards.
Recognised by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and other leading environmental and business agencies for their innovative environmental action, these sustainable Scottish companies are working to reduce pressure on the planet’s resources and accelerate action towards net zero.
From a competitive field of entries, the top finalists have been selected across industries ranging from life sciences, transport, food and drink and construction.
Over the last 25 years, the VIBES awards have been celebrating the efforts of Scottish companies and recognising the efforts of those businesses that have championed sustainability by identifying ways to tackle the impact on the planet by reducing consumption of its resources.
Nicole Paterson, Chief Executive at the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), said: “For 25 years, the VIBES Scottish Environment Business Awards have showcased the best of Scottish sustainable business and this year we’re excited to see that businesses continue to drive change and deliver environmental excellence.
“As Scotland’s principal environmental regulator, we innovate, collaborate and drive collective action to help build a stronger, fairer and more sustainable nation.
“Now more than ever, Scottish consumers are looking to business leaders to take meaningful action and we’re seeing more and more businesses and organisations recognising that environmental innovation and best practice can also bring economic opportunities and benefits.”
A panel of judges, bringing expertise on sustainability and innovation from across the business and public sectors, reviewed entries and selected the finalists for each of the 11 award categories, which include celebrating small and large businesses, product innovation and inclusivity.
This year, the awards have been supported by STV’s Green Fund to attract businesses from across the whole of Scotland, making the awards as inclusive as possible by encouraging businesses of all sizes and across a range of industries to apply.
Anthony Polydorou, Business Development Director at STV, said: “In today’s business landscape championing sustainability is more vital than ever. As part of our ongoing media partnership with the VIBES Awards, we helped to reach businesses, no matter their size or location, across Scotland and the finalists reflect those leading the way in positive environmental practises.
“The STV Green Fund was created to support Scottish businesses doing great things for the environment, making our collaboration with VIBES on this award an easy decision for us. Congratulations and good luck to all the nominees this year.”
SEPA’s Chair, Lisa Tennant, will make the final decision alongside Robbie Kernahan, Director Green Economy, Nature Scot and Ian Gulland, CEO Zero Waste Scotland on the Head Judging Panel. To help make this tough decision, the finalists will host site visits and be interviewed, with winners announced at the awards ceremony in November.
The VIBES Scottish Environment Business Awards, delivered by SEPA, are a partnership between multiple organisations including the Scottish Government, Energy Saving Trust, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Scottish Enterprise, South of Scotland Enterprise, NatureScot, Scottish Water, and Zero Waste Scotland.
VIBES is also supported by CBI Scotland, the Institute of Directors (IoD), Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), Bright Green Business, Scottish Council for Development and Industry and the Scotch Whisky Association.
Vote for your favourite finalist in the People’s Choice Award!
Run annually by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), the Scottish Charity Awards celebrate the best of Scotland’s voluntary sector.
This year’s shortlist includes 39 individuals and organisations from charities and voluntary groups across the country.
While a judging panel will determine the winners under ten distinct categories, members of the public can have their say by voting for their favourite overall entry in the People’s Choice Award – by visiting scvo.scot/vote – before 5pm on Friday 24 May 2024.
Winners will be announced on 20 June 2024 in a celebratory awards ceremony hosted by broadcaster Sally Magnusson at the Raddison Blu in Glasgow.
Anna Fowlie, Chief Executive, SCVO said: “We’re very excited to bring you the 2024 Scottish Charity Awards. It’s been another record-breaking year with nearly 500 entries, so arriving at the 39 finalists has been really difficult.
“The finalists demonstrate just how essential the voluntary sector is to Scottish society, with dedicated organisations and individuals going above and beyond to make a positive and often life-changing impact in their communities.
“The public has the chance to celebrate each of our finalists through the People’s Choice vote which is now open, so don’t miss your opportunity to get involved and get behind your favourite by voting! I’d like to wish all our finalists the very best of luck and look forward to shining a light on their essential contributions at our awards ceremony in June.”
AND THE SHORTLIST IS:
Campaign of the year
The Yard – Our Kids Won’t Wait
Aberlour Children’s Charity – Cancelling School Meal Debt
Amina Muslim Women’s Resource Centre – Never Allowed
Diabetes Scotland – Diabetes Tech Can’t Wait
Volunteer of the year
Mary Osei-Oppong – African and Caribbean Elders in Scotland
Mary Hepburn – Fife Rape and Sexual Assault Centre
Lauren Boag – Scottish Huntington’s Association
David Corstorphine – RNLI
Partnership of the Year
SOHTIS (Survivors of Human Trafficking in Scotland) and Simon Community Scotland
Edinburgh Tool Library and LGBT Health and Wellbeing
Larkhall & District Volunteer Group and Heart of Africa
Special Olympics Grampian Area, Special Olympics GB and Inclusive Skating
Employee of the Year
Vicki McGrain Rae – Asthma and Allergy Foundation
Amanda Fleet – Highlands and Islands Students’ Association
Janice Lee – Ardgowan Hospice
Kevin Radzynski – Grassmarket Community Project
Community Impact
Feeling Strong
National Ugly Mugs (NUM)
Fersands and Fountain SCIO
Creatovators CIC
Climate Impact
The Volunteer Tutors Organisation
Forth Rivers Trust
R:evolve Recycle
Trustee of the Year
Ken Brown – Bridge Community Project
Michael Craig – Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans
Jen Hardy – Cancer Card
Michelle Robertson – Fallin Community Voice
Digital Difference
Lead Scotland
The Why Not? Trust
Perth Theatre and Concert Hall
Strathearn Arts
Charity of the Year – turnover under £500k
Dates-n-Mates
Equi-Power Central Scotland RDA
Fischy Music
Playlist for Life
Charity of the Year – turnover over £500k
Edinburgh Women’s Aid
Fife Young Carers
Simba
St Vincent’s Hospice
The public can vote for their favourite finalist to win the People’s Choice Award by casting their vote on the SCVO website: scvo.scot/vote
A Wheelchair Basketball coach from West Lothian has been shortlisted for the Community Coach of the Year for Children and Young People by UK Coaching, in recognition of their outstanding work coaching young people with disabilities.
The UK Coaching Awards is a national celebration event, regarded as the most prestigious within the coaching community and created to celebrate the remarkable contributions coaches make – from delivering high quality and technical coaching, to supporting participants both physically and mentally.
Tina Gordon has been passionate about coaching wheelchair basketball for over 30 years having coached at junior through to the senior competitive levels.
For the past eight years she has shifted her focus to coaching young people with physical disabilities under the age of 14.
Seeing how participation in wheelchair basketball brings out their confidence and helps the players become more independent outside of the basketball court, Tina reflected on her experience as “giving her great joy”.
Tina said: “I feel very humbled and proud to be nominated for the ‘Community Coach of the Year. Hearing that the young players (and their parents) at Lothian Phoenix had nominated me certainly was a surprize and one I’m very grateful for – normally it’s me nominating them for awards!
“I love coaching young people and to see them having fun with their pals, achieving their aspirations & dreams through playing wheelchair basketball, really energises me and fills me with such joy.
“Seeing young people with disabilities having fun with their pals, developing their confidence, and achieving their dreams, gives me such a buzz, I just love it!
“The most important thing for me as a coach is seeing how sport, and wheelchair basketball in particular, can positively enhance young people’s lives. To see so many smiling faces each week at training, and the pride on family members faces fills me with such joy – I feel I have an extended family myself!”
With previous award winners including Sarina Wiegman, Jane Figueiredo, Judy Murray, and Ben Stokes’ coaching chain, the awards celebrate the best of the UK’s Coaching workforce, the unforgettable moments they deliver, and the profound impact at every level of sport and activity.
UK Coaching’s CEO Mark Gannon congratulated Tina on the nomination, and reflected on the huge variety of coaching talent announced: “We are delighted to announce our finalists for the 2023 UK Coaching Awards.
“Across the board we have seen so much talent, passion and commitment amongst our amazing coaching workforce, and this year’s finalists represent the best of our nation’s coaches who do so much to support people through sport and physical activity.
“All of our finalists should be extremely proud of what they have been able to achieve and fully deserve this recognition. We are very much looking forward to celebrating together at our UK Coaching Awards ceremony, bringing together the coaches that are going above and beyond to deliver outstanding experiences and make a real difference in their community.”
The awards will be held on 5 December at the Queens Hotel in Leeds.
Find out more about this year’s finalists and the awards by heading to:
Fifteen projects from eleven Councils across Scotland have been announced today as finalists for the 2023 Excellence Awards, which are COSLA’s annual celebration of Scottish Local Government success – celebrating the very best of Scottish Local Government.
No City of Edinburgh Council projects have made the final shortlist.
Scotland’s 32 Councils were invited over the summer to submit entries to a judging panel comprising a number of experts across local and national government as well as the private sector.
After much deliberation our judging teams determined their finalists from dozens of applications of an incredibly high quality. The judges’ shortlist features a series of projects and programmes which highlighted areas of best practice and innovative service delivery over five categories: Service Innovation and Improvement, Achieving Better Outcomes for the Most Vulnerable in Partnership, Tackling Inequalities and Improving Health and Wellbeing, Strengthening Communities and Local Democracy and Just Transition to a Net Zero Economy.
More than 200 applications were received, and the judges had the unenviable task of choosing just three category finalists in each category.
A further series of judging days will take place in late August, during which a team of judges led by COSLA President Shona Morrison, and Vice-President Steven Heddle, will decide on a winner in each category as well as the winners of four special awards – COSLA Chairperson’s Award, SOLACE Best Team Award, The Scottish Government – Delivering Excellence Award, and the Excellent People, Excellent Outcomes Award.
Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony at COSLA’s Annual Conference and Exhibition, which will take place on Thursday 28th September, 2023.
Councillor Shona Morrison, COSLA President and Chairperson of the Excellence Awards, said: “I’m delighted that we are able to announce this year’s COSLA Excellence Awards finalists.
“It hasn’t been an easy task for our judges to narrow the applications down to just fifteen finalists across our categories, especially given the exceptional high quality of projects and programmes that have been entered by councils across Scotland this year.
“It has been wonderful hearing so many positive and inspiring stories from council teams working hard to deliver valued services in communities right across the country.
“The challenges councils are facing cannot be underestimated. What really shone through from the entries this year was innovation and creativity at a local level to overcome challenges – and the sheer determination from Scotland’s councils to simply make people’s lives better at a very challenging time for all.
“So, huge congratulations to this year’s finalists – it has been a pleasure to hear first-hand about the amazing work going on across our councils. I look forward to our winners being announced at the in-person awards ceremony in September”.
This year’s finalists are:
Category 1: Service innovation and improvement (Sponsored by Food Standards Scotland)
Delivering School Meals by Drones – Argyll and Bute Council
Stirling Council Healthier Homes Project – Stirling Council
24/7 CCTV/Digital Alarms Hub – Falkirk Council
Category 2: Achieving better outcomes for the most vulnerable in partnership
Lighthouse – Perth and Kinross Council
Building Skills Together Refugee Integration Project – Dundee City Council
Up streaming Prevention of Youth Homelessness – West Lothian Council
Category 3: Tackling inequalities and improving health and wellbeing (Sponsored by Public Health Scotland)
Implementing regulate, relate, reason in education – Fife Council
Libraries for wellbeing – Falkirk Council
Alcohol and substance awareness education resource – Renfrewshire Council
Category 4: Strengthening communities and local democracy
Zetland Park Project – Falkirk Council
Historic Links to Slavery – Inverclyde Council
Joint Bonfire Protocol and Multi-Agency Control Centre – Glasgow City Council, Neighbourhoods, Regeneration and Sustainability
Category 5: Just transition to a net zero economy
Orkney’s Community Wind Farm Project – Orkney Islands Council
Blackburn as a Climate Action Town – West Lothian Council
Sustainable Grass Management Pilot Project – Falkirk Council
Vote for your favourite Scottish Charity Awards finalist!
Run annually by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), the Scottish Charity Awards celebrate the best of Scotland’s voluntary sector.
This year’s shortlist includes 32 individuals and organisations from charities and voluntary groups across the country. Among those nominees are West-Pilton based Fresh Start, who have been shortlisted in the Community Action category.
While a judging panel will determine the winners under nine distinct categories, members of the public can have their say by voting for their favourite overall entry in the People’s Choice Award – by visiting scvo.scot/vote – before 5pm on Wednesday 24 May 2023.
The full shortlist includes:
Campaign of the year
Feniks – Shed Your Armour, Show the Scars
Brain Health Scotland – My Amazing Brain
Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity – Jack’s Wee Snowman with the Big Heart
Western Isles Violence Against Women Partnership – Safer Outer Hebrides
Volunteer of the year
Andrii Zhehestovskyi – Libraries & Information Services Dundee
Garry Duthie – Camphill School Aberdeen
Gordon Harkin – Cancer Support Scotland
Pioneering project
Quarriers
SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health)
GEMAP
Capability Scotland
Cycling Without Age Scotland
Employee of the year
Man On! Inverclyde – Peter Canevale
Children’s Hospices Across Scotland – Charlie Leavy
Beatson Cancer Charity – Paul Sheerin
Community Action
Fresh Start Scotland
Golden Friendships
Maryhill Integration Network
Climate Conscious
YouthLink Scotland
Edinburgh Science
Climate Action Strathaven
Trustee of the year
Disability Snowsport UK – Carmel Teusner
Amma Birth Companions – Vongayi Mufara
Glasgow East Alcohol Awareness Project – John Strange
RSABI – David Leggat MBE
Digital Citizens
Simon Community Scotland
Scottish Union of Supported Employment
North East Sensory Services (NESS)
Charity of the year
Team Jak Foundation
Maslow’s Community
Diversified
Community Food Initiatives North East
Winners will be announced on 23 June 2023 in a celebratory awards ceremony hosted by broadcaster Sally Magnusson at the Sheraton Hotel, Edinburgh.
Anna Fowlie, Chief Executive, SCVO said: “The Scottish Charity Awards are a fabulous opportunity to celebrate the exceptional individuals and groups within our vibrant sector.
“This year’s record-breaking number of nominations underlines the strength of Scotland’s voluntary sector, and the crucial work that we see from charities and voluntary organisations across the country.
“The hard work and dedication of people and organisations like these 32 finalists are making Scotland a better place to live and work.
“There is still a chance to have your own voice heard by voting in the People’s Choice Award. Don’t be late – participate!”
More than 40 firms across Scotland are in the running to secure a prestigious VIBES – Scottish Environment Business Award.
A record number of entrants for the 2022 awards have been narrowed down to 45 finalists – from across a range of industries including food and drink, construction and life sciences. They will all be considered for one or more categories ahead of the award ceremony later this year.
Scotland is famous for its culture of innovation, making it ideally positioned to play a leading role in the journey to a more sustainable, low carbon future.
The VIBES – Scottish Environment Business Awards are a partnership between the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), The Scottish Government, Energy Saving Trust, Highland & Islands Enterprise, Scottish Enterprise, South of Scotland Enterprise, Scottish Water, Zero Waste Scotland and NatureScot.
Since 1999, the VIBES – Scottish Environment Business Awards has recognised more than 270 businesses that have championed sustainability by identifying ways to tackle the impact on the planet by reducing consumption of its resources.
From increasing recycling and facilitating active travel to reducing consumption of raw materials by adopting a more circular approach, the dedication and drive of companies in Scotland at the forefront of tackling environmental change has been recognised by the VIBES – Scottish Environment Business Awards.
Gillian Bruce, chair of VIBES – Scottish Environment Business Awards, said: “Every year, the VIBES Awards highlight the progress made across Scotland to help move towards net zero.
“We see more and more firms and organisations who recognise environmental innovation and best practice can also bring economic benefits and it is always inspiring to hear entrants tell us about their work.
“Scotland is a leader in climate change action and every business can play a part in leading Scotland to Net Zero. We hope the finalists will encourage others to improve their environmental practices and help to safeguard Scotland for future generations.”
Environment Minister, Mairi McAllan, said: “Businesses have a huge role to play in protecting our environment and tackling the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss and I would like to congratulate all those that have been shortlisted.
“The VIBES awards are a great opportunity to recognise businesses that are showing leadership in making their operations more sustainable as part of Scotland’s journey to net zero.”
Around three quarters of this year’s applicants have entered VIBES for the first time. Two of the 12 categories – Nature Rich Scotland and Energy Transition Scotland – are new awards.
In the next stage, judges will interview each finalist or take part in a site visit, where finalists will be able to demonstrate their work. This will be fed back to the head judging panel, who will select the 2022 winners.
