Awards
Award categories
There are three categories:
- Border Biodiversity Award, for efforts in supporting and increasing biodiversity
- Cultivating Communities Award, for community food growing
- Sustainability Award, for demonstrating best practice in regard to sustainability
Judging
Judging of the awards will take place in mid-August after the submission deadlines.
Entry submissions
Entries can be submitted online via the relevant application form. Entrants can also submit paper copy application forms if they would prefer.
Submissions will be assessed by an external panel of judges using the specific criteria for each award. Awards criteria can be found below.
Gold, Silver and Bronze certificates will be awarded across each of the categories. A 'Best in Category' award will also be presented for each category.
Who can enter?
We welcome submissions from any community groups, ‘in Bloom’ groups, schools, charitable organisations or other independent community projects who want to showcase their amazing work.
Guidelines for entrants
Border Biodiversity Award
This award is aimed at projects, initiatives or community groups who wish to be considered for their efforts in increasing the biodiversity of the Scottish Borders through:
- Community/volunteer involvement
- Use of native plants for pollinators
- Habitat creation
- Environmental management or maintenance
Cultivating Communities Award
Awards will be presented for gardens/projects where community food growing is a key element in helping to address the climate change emergency alongside building community cohesion. This encompasses gardens/projects where community food growing is predominantly the main objective.
Projects of all levels are encouraged to enter, to share their work and advance their interests. Criteria that form the assessment are:
- Plant health and production
- Sustainability practices
- Beneficial habitat for wildlife
- Aesthetic appeal
- Social connections to family/neighbourhood/community.
Sustainability Award
The awards will be presented to entrants that demonstrate best practice in regard to sustainability. Criteria that form the assessment are:
- Recycling, upcycling of materials
- Permanent planting
- Resource Management
- Engagement with the wider community and volunteers
Multiple entries
Entrants wishing to take part in the Border Biodiversity, Cultivating Communities and/or Sustainability Awards should do so on an individual award basis.
The same project/initiative can be entered into more than one award however, should entrants feel their project/initiative meets the relevant criteria.