After a successful first year, the Greener Gateway Community Awards are back for 2023 and entries are now open
The Awards, run by ourselves, seek to recognise and celebrate the civic pride, volunteering efforts and skills that help keep the towns and villages of the region looking so vibrant and cared for.
In addition, it places an increased focus showcasing the communities and community-led projects that take pride in their local environment whilst also acknowledging their efforts to make the region more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
Last year marked the first year of the Awards, which continues the legacy of the successful ‘Floral Gateway Competition’ which ran for nearly 20 years.
2022 results
A total of eight villages, towns and individual projects were recognised overall in a prize-giving ceremony held in September 2022 at our headquarters.
Winners of the best submission in each category were:
- Wee Village Award (maximum population of 300) - Birgham
- Large Village Award (population between 1,001 and 2,500) - Lauder
- Town Award (population over 2,500) – Duns
- Border Biodiversity Award – Lauder in Bloom
- Cultivating Communities Award – Burnfoot Community Futures
- Sustainability Award – Lauder in Bloom
Entries can be submitted any time up to the deadline of Friday 4 August 2023 either online or by paper copy.
Full details of the awards, the individual categories, entry guidelines and details on how to submit your entry are available to view online
As was the case in 2022, no in-person judging will take place with entrants encouraged to submit supporting evidence such as photographs, videos or links as part of their submission.
Judging of the submissions will take place during August by a panel of external judges, with an awards ceremony held in September to celebrate all the community groups and projects who participated in the new programme of awards.
Gold, silver and bronze certificates will be awarded across all categories, with a separate ‘Best in Category’ award for each.
Councillor John Greenwell, Executive Member for Roads Development & Maintenance
“Following on from a successful first year in 2022, where eight different communities and groups were deservedly recognised across multiple award categories, I am extremely pleased to see the Greener Gateway Community Awards back for another year.
“The awards undoubtedly help shine a light on amazing projects and initiatives right across the Borders that would otherwise go unrecognised and help show our appreciation for the countless hours individuals and groups dedicate towards keeping our towns and villages looking so vibrant and cared for.
“We are extremely excited to see all the innovative and skilful work being undertaken by different groups and I’d like to encourage as many different individuals, projects and initiatives to seriously consider applying for this year’s awards.”
A Q&A/information session will be held on Wednesday 10 May at 6pm to allow any parties interested in applying to the Awards to find out more about the format, entry requirements and judging for the awards.