Scotland Loves Local Awards will shine spotlight on those working tirelessly to secure a better, stronger future for people and places across the country
Nominations have opened for the 2024 Scotland Loves Local Awards – with people urged to come forward to shine a spotlight on their community’s champions.
The awards will honour High Street Heroes across the country, as well as seeing one place named as the nation’s Town of the Year.
Organised by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP), the awards recognise and reward all that’s great about the nation’s towns and neighbourhoods and the work to ensure they become stronger and more sustainable.
They will also honour the innovation of organisations and enterprises driving economic success – attracting investment and delivering change in their area.
And they will highlight the inspirational impact of positive leadership in creating a better future.
STP Chief Officer Kimberley Guthrie said: “The desire to make a difference and create a new future for Scotland’s communities should never be underestimated.
“We see every day how hard work and innovation is helping people and places to manage the cost of living, tackle the climate emergency while transforming places to become better, fairer, more attractive and successful.
“The Scotland Loves Local Awards are a chance to shine a spotlight on the determination and collaboration which really is improving lives in so many ways.”
Nationally, awards will be presented to:
● Town of the Year
● Most Enterprising Community
● Place Leader of the Year
Eight High Street Hero Awards – recognising those who go above and beyond to make communities of all sizes better places in which to live, work and visit – will also be presented. One will be awarded in each of the Scottish Parliament electoral regions of Central Scotland, Glasgow, Highlands and Islands, Lothian, Mid Scotland and Fife, North East Scotland, South Scotland and West Scotland.
Spearheaded by STP and supported by the Scottish Government, Scotland Loves Local is the movement encouraging people to create a better future for their community by choosing local. This is the fourth year in which the awards have been held.
Technology solutions company Vicinity, which works with councils and business improvement districts to provide data and audience insights to promote local places and economies, is sponsoring the Town of the Year category.
Chief Executive Henry Jinman said: “Our work gives us a fascinating insight into what makes places tick and we are delighted to work alongside STP to help foster a culture of innovation and collaboration in Scotland’s Towns and Places’.
“That is why we are delighted to be supporting the Town of the Year category, to shine a spotlight on fantastic work being carried out by organisations and individuals across the country, making a real difference to places and the people who live there.” Award nominations can be made at www.lovelocal.scot/awards, where full category criteria can also be found. There, you can briefly share the details of your nominee and why you would like to see them recognised.
The closing date for nominations is 5pm on Friday, August 23rd 2024. Finalists will be announced in September with presentations made to winners in October. The achievements of finalists will also be celebrated at the Scotland’s Towns Conference in Perth on November 27th.
