The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) is calling for voluntary organisations and individuals across the country to apply for its annual Scottish Charity Awards.
Now in its 18th year, the Scottish Charity Awards are designed to celebrate the best of the voluntary sector, and to highlight the incredible organisations, inspiring people and innovative projects that have made an immeasurable difference to the communities they support over the past year.
Applications are now being accepted for 2024, with SCVO placing particular importance on hearing from voluntary organisations and individuals that reflect the diversity of this essential sector.
All registered charities, social enterprises, campaigning groups, community interest companies and people who work/volunteer in these spaces are eligible to enter.
This year SCVO has also tried to make the awards simpler and more accessible to as many people and organisations as possible, with a number of improvements to the application and judging process – including the introduction of a new Small Charity of the Year award in recognition of charities with turnover of £500k and below.
The award categories are Charity of the Year, Small Charity of the Year Trustee of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Employee of the Year, Partnership of the Year, Campaign of the Year, Community Impact, Climate Impact, and Digital Difference; with the winners to be decided by a panel of judges.
All finalists will also be entered into the running for the People’s Choice Award, giving members of the public a chance to vote for their favourite finalist to win. SCVO received an overwhelming response last year with hundreds of applications and over 14,000 votes cast for the People’s Choice Award, and hopes that even more organisations will be inspired to apply this year.
This year, SCVO will be bringing its celebratory awards ceremony, hosted by Sally Magnusson, to Glasgow on 20 June.
Anna Fowlie, Chief Executive of the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), said: “In these stormy times, it’s great to have something to look forward to. The Scottish Charity Awards always light up our calendars and remind us of the invaluable, inspiring work voluntary organisations across the country are doing every day.
“Being shortlisted for an award spotlights your story and celebrates the massive contribution of people and organisations to our communities and our country.
“Every year I’m blown away by the diversity, dedication, expertise and passion that runs through every part of our sector and I’m sure 2024 will be no different – maybe even better! Prove me right and enter or nominate for this year’s awards.”
Applications are open until 12pm on Friday 15 March 2023 and can be completed on the SCVO website: scvo.scot/scottish-charity-awards/apply.
Nicole Scottsville, co-founder and chair of 2023 Charity of the Year Diversified, added: “Since winning Charity of the Year at the Scottish Charity Awards 2023, our organisation has gone from strength to strength and it has brought national recognition to the work we do.
“As a small and young charity, we never expected to win Charity of the Year, and were absolutely thrilled that we did! Winning such a prestigious award has helped us demonstrate to our wider community that we are passionate about what we do and that we provide exceptional services to our autistic youth community.”