Applications for the 16th annual event have opened ahead of June's glitzy ceremony.

The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) is calling for charities and individuals across the country to apply for its annual charity awards. 

Now in its 16th year, the Scottish Charity Awards highlight the best, most innovative and effective charities, social enterprises, community groups and individuals from the past year and celebrates those who make a difference in our communities. 

The Awards are designed to celebrate the best of the voluntary sector, and applications are now being accepted for 2022. 

The award categories are Employee of the Year, Trustee of the Year, Community Action, Campaign of the Year, Charity of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Digital Citizen, Pioneering Project and Climate Conscious - with the winners to be decided by a panel of judges. 

For the last two years the Awards has been hosted online, but Covid restrictions and safety considerations allowing, the SCVO have announced the return of a glittering ceremony hosted by Sally Magnusson at Glasgow's Crowne Plaza hotel on June 15..  

All finalists will also be entered into the running for the People’s Choice Award, giving members of the public a chance to vote for their favourite finalist to win. 

The SCVO received an overwhelming response last year, with hundreds of applications and over thousands of votes cast in the People’s Choice Award, and event organisers hope to encourage even more applications this year.  

Anna Fowlie, SCVO chief executive, said: “The Scottish Charity Awards showcase some of the most inspiring organisations and individuals in the country. 

“We know that there are huge numbers of voluntary sector organisations that are carrying out amazing work every day in our communities and I would urge them to take the time to apply. 

“Not only can winning promote an organisation’s cause and attract new funding streams, it can also give these organisations and the people who work and volunteer for them the recognition they deserve.” 

Applications are open until March 18.