Finalists announced for Helping It Happen Awards 2020

Twelve awards recognising rural Scotland including community champion honours

The finalists for the Helping It Happen Awards 2020 have been announced, with nominations for those who have contributed to Scotland’s rural economy, enhanced the environment or supported their communities during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Now in its fourth year, the Helping It Happen Awards, sponsored by GLM, have become firmly established in recognising the role of estates, farms and rural businesses who are helping rural Scotland thrive. The awards are organised by rural business organisation, Scottish Land & Estates.

This year, there are 12 awards in total, with seven award categories complemented by community champion awards across five regions. A full list of the award categories and nominees are listed below.

The winners will be announced via a video premiered on YouTube at noon on 30 September. 

Sarah-Jane Laing, chief executive of Scottish Land & Estates, said:

“More than ever, this year has typified what Helping It Happen is all about – individuals, rural businesses and organisations going the extra mile to make a positive contribution to society. This work benefits us all by sustaining rural employment, providing high quality housing or helping Scotland meet its climate change goals.

“The pandemic, and particularly the lockdown period, has given rise to many inspiring stories as people use their own talents, time and money to support their local communities. This is reflected in many of the nominations, particularly in the regional community champion awards. The nominations have been as strong as ever this year and we are pleased that the Helping It Happen awards are firmly established as a way of recognising how Scotland’s diverse rural businesses and organisations are making a vital contribution.”

The nominees for the Helping It Happen Awards 2020 are:

Conservation Award, sponsored by Anderson Strathern

• Balmacara Estate
• The Borders Birdbox Project
• Into the Wilderness podcasts

Enhancing Our Environment Award, sponsored by NatureScot

• Broadmeadows Farm
• East Lothian Countryside Volunteers
• Jim & Graeme Sinclair

Iver Salvesen Green Business Award

• Forth Resource Management
• MiAlgae

Rural Business Award, sponsored by Velux

• Borderlink Broadband Ltd
• Craigies Farm
• Fasque Forestry

Innovation in Farming Award, sponsored by Douglas Home & Co

• Peelham Farm
• Seawater Solutions

Education Award, sponsored by Bell Ingram

• Duffus Estate
• Riemore Trust
• St Mary's School, Melrose

The winner of a Judges' special award will be announced during the video premier on 30 September.

Community Champion of the Year Awards

Central

• Conner Pratt
• Discover Scottish Gardens
• FETCH.SCOT

Highland

• Hello! Campaign 2020
• Margaret Payne
• Tulloch Homes

North East

• Dunecht Estates
• Finzean Estate Partnership
• NE Food Hub

South East

• Border Eggs & MacLean Eggs
• Forth Resource Management
• Roxburghe Estates

South West

• The Food Train
• John Gold
• The Ayrshire Food Hub

Find out more about the finalists of the Helping It Happen Awards 2020 here.

View the judging panel for the Helping It Happen Awards 2020 here.