The Social Innovation Competition winners have been revealed
A project to restore an iconic community building, a business boosting ethical tourism in Scotland and an organic food producer have scooped awards in a national competition for innovative ideas.
The Social Innovation Competition, delivered by social enterprise agency Firstport, celebrates individuals and start-up companies in Scotland who are using their creativity and imagination to solve pressing social issues. This year’s contest focused on the themes of culture, heritage and tourism.
The winners were presented with their awards by Angela Constance MSP, cabinet secretary for communities, social security and equalities, at a reception held by Social Enterprise Scotland in the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday (7 November).
Maria Perez, of Scotland's Social Way, and Sarah Mackenzie, of Tain Picture House Regeneration Project, both won awards while the Young Social Innovator Award went to Jennifer Macdonald of Woodside Arran. The winners received £5,000 each and tailored business support from Firstport.
Scotland's Social Way is an enterprise which aims to create a world-leading reference for ethical travel, promoting new routes to market for social and community enterprises, small charities and local trusts. The website will encourage tourists to visit sustainable and community-based destinations with a strong focus on rural areas of Scotland.
Tain Picture House Regeneration Project aims to restore the Old Picture House, a treasured building in the heart of Tain, to protect its heritage and culture whilst giving it social and economic purpose that will benefit the local community.
Woodside Arran is a community supported organic farm and delivery business, selling sustainable local produce to residents and businesses on the Isle of Arran.
Josiah Lockhart, chief executive of Firstport, said: "Scotland is renowned around the world as a country of inventions and innovators, from scientific breakthroughs to engineering masterpieces to cultural successes.
"Supported by the Scottish Government, we launched a search for the next generation of Scottish social innovators who have the potential to make a real difference to their communities. Our brief was to find the most exciting, innovative ideas tackling social issues and we were very impressed with the quality of entries from the length and breadth of Scotland.”
