The application window for the 2025 Greener Gateway Awards has now officially opened with community-led projects, volunteer groups and schools all encouraged to enter.
Showcasing projects, groups, schools and civic pride
The Awards provide the opportunity to recognise and celebrate the civic pride, volunteering efforts and skills that help keep the towns and villages of the Scottish Borders looking so vibrant and cared for.
A particular focus is placed on highlighting the projects and groups championing positive climate action across the region. In 2024 a new schools award was successfully introduced celebrating the wide variety of projects undertaken by school children that focus on sustainability.
The Awards also showcase 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.
Once again, we will be judging villages and towns through our Settlement Award categories, including the Wee Village Award, Small Village Award, Large Village Award and Town Award, as well as the Border Biodiversity Award, Cultivating Communities Award and Sustainability Award.
Entries now open
In-person judging will take place for all settlement categories with entrants encouraged to submit supporting evidence digitally in the form of photographs, videos or links.
A full list of winners from the 2024 Awards can be found on the Greener Gateway Community Awards section of our website.
Entries can be submitted at any time either online or by paper copy up to the deadlines of 2nd May for school awards, 30th May for settlement awards and 1st August for the other individual awards.
Full details of the awards, the individual categories, entry guidelines and details on how to submit your entry are available to view here.
Judging
Judging of the submissions will take place during end of July/August, with an awards ceremony held in September to celebrate all of the schools, community groups and projects who participated in the programme of awards.
Gold, silver and bronze certificates will be awarded across all categories, with a separate ‘Best in Category’ award for each.
A £250 voucher will be awarded to the primary and secondary schools that are deemed to be ‘Best in Category’ through the judging process.
Councillor John Greenwell, Executive Member for Roads & Public Space Development:
“The Greener Gateway Community Awards are going from strength to strength every year as we continue to show our recognition to the tireless community volunteers, groups and schools for their outstanding efforts.
“Their dedication, efforts and countless hours of work make the region a more beautiful and prosperous place and these Awards are one small way that we at SBC can show our gratitude.
“We look forward to viewing and scoring all the submissions we receive throughout the summer.”