Nominations for the 2025 Scotland Loves Local Awards are now open – and we are inviting the public to put forward their most valued community champions and projects for recognition.
The Scotland Loves Local Awards are a celebration of all that is great about our nation’s towns and neighbourhoods – recognising and rewarding remarkable dedication, innovation and commitment towards shaping a sustainable, successful future with localism at its heart.
Now in their fifth year, these awards are about highlighting the people, places and projects which are leading the way in making a difference, delivering benefits which will help make our communities cleaner, greener, stronger and fairer whether through design, delivery or sheer determination.
The awards will see Scotland’s Town of the Year crowned as well as those to High Street Heroes – a business or organisation (or an individual associated with one) which has gone above and beyond to support those around them. One of these will be awarded in each of the eight Scottish Parliament electoral regions.
The awards will also celebrate the remarkable spirit of enterprise in our communities, digital innovation, those on the frontline of local responses to the climate emergency, the people embracing culture to drive change and organisations making our town centres great places to live as well as work and visit. They are all about the people who are the heart of why Scotland Loves Local.
All of our finalists will be invited to join a special Scotland Loves Local Celebration in Edinburgh on 5th November (more details to be announced).
The categories are:
Town of the Year
Most Enterprising Community
Place Leader of the Year
High Street Hero ( 8 regional winners)
Applications close 11:55pm, Wednesday 20th August
For queries on the awards, contact [email protected]
Find out more about the categories:
Category Description/ Scope of Entries
Town of the Year
The Town of the Year Award aims to recognise towns that are committed to and exemplify the National Towns Framework Objectives (see bullet points below), delivery of the Town Centre Action Plan and creating vibrant and inclusive places. Judges will evaluate applications based on how well they align with and advance these objectives:
Working to support places where people can visit, work, live and invest in
Alignment to the Town Centre First Principle and the Place Principle
Partnership working and engagement of stakeholders
Future plans for the town including driving economic growth / recovery
Most Enterprising Community
Community initiatives or enterprises which contribute to their local economy or use innovative funding models to drive regeneration. This could include, but is not limited to, groups that aim to attract future investment in places, groups that address local economic challenges, and which focus on inclusive and innovative approaches. Qualifying projects could involve the following:
Conversions of vacant units into new purposes
New economic initiatives such as street markets, creative or heritage based event or local tours
Social enterprises delivering economic good for their community
Activity that encourages new or growth in entrepreneurial activity in their community
The creation of a masterplan which shows – and is starting to deliver – a bold vision
Local green activities such as circular economy practices or sustainable energy generation
Digital innovation which contributes to the local economy
Place Leader of the Year
The Place Leader award will be presented to an individual who has played an exceptional role in driving the development or regeneration of a town, smaller settlement or city district. Examples could include:
Spearheading the development and delivery of a strategic vision for a place
Designing initiatives to support local businesses
Leading a key regeneration project or…
Being responsible for coordinating place-based regeneration in an area over the long term
Consistently demonstrates collaborative working and promotes partnership working
High Street Hero (8 regional winners)
The Scotland Loves Local High Street Hero Award will be presented to a business, organisation, constituted charity or social enterprise (including an individual associated with the organisation) which has gone above and beyond to support those around them.
The award will be presented to an individual or organisation who / which has played an exceptional role in their town. Examples could include:
Through a specific initiative / act, reacting to a particular set of circumstances to the benefit of their community
Recognition for the dedication to their work and those around them
One High Street Hero award will be presented in each of the eight Scottish Parliament electoral regions (Central Scotland, Glasgow,
Highlands and Islands, Lothian, Mid Scotland and Fife, North East Scotland, South Scotland, West Scotland).
