Winners of Social Enterprise Awards Scotland 2017 announced

Wednesday 8 November 2017


The winners of Scotland’s annual awards for innovation and success in social enterprise have been announced at an event in The Scottish Parliament.
 
The winner of Social Enterprise of the Year is the Grassmarket Community Project in Edinburgh, Social Enterprise Champion was awarded to Chris Martin of Callander Youth Project and the One to Watch winner is Projekt 42.
Social Enterprise Scotland issued a call for applications earlier in the year, urging Scotland’s innovative social enterprises to demonstrate how they’re improving our economy and society.

Fraser Kelly, Chief Executive, Social Enterprise Scotland, said

“We’re delighted to announce the winners of Social Enterprise Awards Scotland 2017. Social enterprises in every corner of Scotland are building a better economy and a fairer society. The Social Enterprise Awards Scotland is a unique opportunity for social enterprises to gain serious recognition for their achievements and raise their public profile. A huge congratulations to the winners and to everyone who took the time and effort to enter this year.”

Jonny Kinross, Chief Executive of the Grassmarket Community Project, Winners of Social Enterprise of the Year 2017, said:

“We are so delighted to win Social Enterprise of the Year 2017. I’m so proud of our team, our volunteers, our staff but above all the members of our project who inspire and motivate us. We’d like to congratulate all the winners and finalists tonight - together we have created a sector to be proud of and proven time and time again how business can change the lives of our most vulnerable, creating a fairer, more inclusive world.”

The Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Communities, Social Security and Equalities, Angela Constance MSP, said:

“I would like to offer my congratulations to all the winners of this year’s Social Enterprise Scotland Awards. Having recently launched a ten-year strategy to grow social enterprise in Scotland, it’s vital we continue to recognise and celebrate the talent of Scotland’s social entrepreneurs. Throughout Scotland, these individuals work tirelessly to improve their communities through the power of social enterprise, reinvesting all profits into social or environmental missions.

“I am pleased that this year’s social enterprise census shows there are now 5,600 social enterprises in Scotland - one social enterprise for every 1,000 people. There are now more start-ups and more social enterprises trading directly with the public than ever before. Our nation is now recognised as a world leader in social enterprise, and is confirmed as host of next year’s Social Enterprise World Forum. This is another excellent opportunity to put Scotland’s social enterprise sector on the world stage, welcoming friends and neighbours from around the globe and celebrating all we have achieved.”

The awards event also included the announcement of the winners of the Social Innovation Competition from Firstport, that celebrates individuals and start up companies using their creativity to solve pressing social issues.

To request a social enterprise feature of any length for print or to arrange an interview about the awards, please contact: Duncan Thorp 0131 243 2650 / 07501 221 581 / duncan.thorp@socialenterprise.scot 

Social Enterprise Scotland is The Voice of Social Enterprise - uniting social enterprises and their supporters into a strong campaigning force. We're your gateway to Scotland's social enterprise community. We’re an independent, Scottish, membership-led organisation, built and controlled by social enterprises. We're the first point of contact for the media and public and promote a positive vision for social enterprise.

A full list of the winners can be found here.