RCF announces £10,000 prize for Scottish Rural Champion Award
The ‘Helping It Happen Awards’ are now in their tenth year. Organised by Scottish Land & Estates, a membership organisation for landowners, rural businesses and rural professionals, the awards shine a light on the people, businesses and community projects powering rural Scotland.
To mark the landmark year, a major new Rural Champion Award has been unveiled – with a £10,000 prize courtesy of The Royal Countryside Fund.
The Royal Countryside Fund’s Rural Champion will be awarded to someone who has made a significant, lasting impact on their Scottish rural community. The winner will receive £10,000 for their community organisation.
The awards are open to all – from farms and estates to rural businesses, charities and community groups – with no requirement to be a member of Scottish Land & Estates.
Nominations for the Rural Champion award are now open, on the RCF website here. Applications close on 30th June and the winners will be announced at a gala ceremony this autumn.
You can apply for other Helping it Happen Awards here.
Sarah-Jane Laing, chief executive of Scottish Land & Estates, said:
“This is a huge year for Helping It Happen as we celebrate a decade of recognising the very best of rural Scotland – and we wanted to mark it in a way that really raises the bar.
“The new Rural Champion Award, backed by a £10,000 prize courtesy of The Royal Countryside Fund, gives us a powerful opportunity to recognise the individuals who go above and beyond for their communities. These are the people making a real difference every day, often without recognition, and this award is about putting them firmly in the spotlight.
“If you know someone who deserves that recognition, now is the time to put them forward. These awards are about celebrating the people who keep rural Scotland moving, innovating and thriving.”
Ellie Burnage, Head of External Affairs at The Royal Countryside Fund said:
“At The Royal Countryside Fund, we know that change can happen – because we see it every day. It starts with real people with local knowledge, passed down through generations. That’s why we work alongside farming families and rural communities – to truly understand their individual needs and provide locally based support to match. We’re so excited to be working with Scottish Land and Estates to recognise the wonderful people who make our countryside so brilliant through the new Rural Champion Award.”