Deadline: 06-Jul-2026
The Social Enterprise Awards Scotland 2026 are now open to recognise organisations and individuals creating positive social, environmental, and community impact across Scotland. The awards celebrate excellence in social enterprise, sustainability, inclusion, health and wellbeing, environmental action, and community development.
The programme highlights the important role social enterprises play in strengthening communities, supporting local economies, promoting social justice, and delivering long-term environmental and wellbeing outcomes.
Focus Areas
The awards recognise achievements in:
- Social enterprise leadership
- Environmental sustainability
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Health and social care
- Community impact
- Innovation and creativity
- Climate action
- Social justice
- Customer satisfaction
- Organisational resilience
- Strategic growth and sustainability
Who is Eligible?
Eligible applicants include:
- Social enterprises operating in Scotland
- Individuals working in social enterprises
- Volunteers supporting social enterprises in Scotland
Organisations must:
- Operate as trading businesses
- Sell goods or services
- Prioritise social or environmental benefit
- Reinvest profits into the organisation or communities
- Have transparent governance structures
- Include constitutional commitments for asset reinvestment upon dissolution
Eligibility by Category
Categories 1 to 8
Applicants must meet the general social enterprise eligibility criteria.
One to Watch Category
Organisations must:
- Have operated for less than two years as of April 2026
- Demonstrate growth potential and early impact
Other Categories
Applicants must:
- Have operated as social enterprises for at least two years
Key Award Categories
Social Enterprise of the Year
This category recognises organisations demonstrating:
- Strong leadership
- Social and environmental impact
- Sustainability and innovation
- Customer satisfaction
- Outstanding organisational performance
- Advocacy for social enterprise
One to Watch
This category supports newer social enterprises showing:
- Creativity and innovation
- Strong future vision
- Early measurable impact
- Commitment to inclusion and climate action
- Growth potential
Environmental Social Enterprise
The category honours organisations delivering:
- Environmental impact
- Climate action initiatives
- Sustainable practices
- Green innovation
- Long-term resilience
Building Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Justice
This category recognises organisations working to:
- Address inequalities
- Promote diversity and inclusion
- Advance social justice
- Inspire equitable practices across communities
Health and Social Care
The award celebrates organisations delivering:
- Health services
- Social care support
- Mental health and wellbeing programmes
- High-quality customer care
- Sustainable community health solutions
Additional Categories
The awards also include recognition for:
- Community wealth building
- Social investment
- Market building
- Individual leadership and volunteering
- Cross-category excellence recognition
Why These Awards Matter
Social enterprises play a major role in:
- Supporting local communities
- Creating jobs and opportunities
- Addressing social inequalities
- Promoting environmental sustainability
- Strengthening community wellbeing
The awards help showcase innovative organisations and encourage wider support for the social enterprise sector across Scotland and the UK.
How to Apply
Applicants should:
- Select the most suitable award category
- Prepare evidence of impact and achievements
- Demonstrate organisational sustainability and leadership
- Highlight innovation, inclusion, and community outcomes
- Submit supporting documents and application materials
Strong applications should clearly explain:
- Social and environmental impact
- Community benefits
- Organisational growth and resilience
- Customer or beneficiary outcomes
- Commitment to inclusion and sustainability
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying to the wrong category
- Weak evidence of measurable impact
- Incomplete governance information
- Limited explanation of social outcomes
- Poor demonstration of sustainability or innovation
FAQ
Who can apply for the awards?
Social enterprises operating in Scotland and individuals working or volunteering in the sector are eligible.
What is a social enterprise under this programme?
An organisation that trades goods or services while prioritising social or environmental benefit and reinvesting profits into its mission.
Can new organisations apply?
Yes, organisations operating for less than two years may apply to the “One to Watch” category.
Are environmental projects eligible?
Yes, the awards include a dedicated Environmental Social Enterprise category.
Is there a category for health and wellbeing organisations?
Yes, the Health and Social Care category recognises organisations delivering health, care, and wellbeing services.
Do organisations need transparent governance structures?
Yes, applicants must demonstrate transparent management and constitutional commitments regarding profit and asset reinvestment.
Conclusion
The Social Enterprise Awards Scotland 2026 celebrate organisations and individuals making a meaningful difference through social enterprise, sustainability, inclusion, and community development. The awards provide an important platform to recognise innovation, leadership, and positive impact while strengthening the social enterprise movement across Scotland.
For more information, visit Social Enterprise Awards Scotland.