Social Enterprise Awards Scotland 2026 winners announced
Posted: 29 October 2026, in News
Fourteen outstanding social enterprises and individuals have been recognised at the year’s Social Enterprise Awards Scotland ceremony.
Taking place at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow, the Awards, organised by Social Enterprise Scotland, celebrate the people and organisations using business as a force for good across Scotland.
Scotland’s Economy Secretary, Stephen Flynn attended the ceremony, joining the celebrations and recognising the contribution social enterprises make to Scotland’s economy and communities.
From tackling poverty and homelessness, supporting diverse communities and providing opportunities for young people, this year’s winners represent the true breadth and diversity of Scotland’s thriving social enterprise movement.
The winners across 14 categories are:
Social Enterprise of the Year – sponsored by Keegan and Pennykid
- WINNER – Flexible Childcare
- HIGHLY COMMENDED – COPE Ltd.
One to Watch – sponsored by PwC UK
- WINNER – Creative Arts Therapies Space
Environmental Social Enterprise – sponsored by Morgan Sindall Construction
Building Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Justice – sponsored by Àrachas3
Health and Social Care – sponsored by Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (ALLIANCE)
- WINNER – South Ayrshire Escape from Homelessness (SeAscape) Ltd.
Social Innovation of the Year – sponsored by Community Enterprise
Education, Training and Jobs– sponsored by Glasgow City Council
Consumer Facing Social Enterprise
- WINNER – Homelands Trust-Fife
IDBM Community Wealth Building – sponsored by Balfour Beatty
Buy Social Scotland Market Builder – sponsored by AtkinsRéalis
Social Innovation Deal of the Year – sponsored by Good Finance
- WINNER – Foundation Scotland and New Start Highland
- HIGHLY COMMENDED – Social Investment Scotland and Strathdearn Community Developments Affordable Homes Project
Social Enterprise Employee Champion
- WINNER – Beverly Campbell, South Ayrshire Escape from Homelessness (SeAscape) Ltd.
Social Enterprise Volunteer Champion
- WINNER – George Macdonald, The Bread Maker
People’s Choice – sponsored by Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Scottish Enterprise and South of Scotland Enterprise
- WINNER – Training Days Banffshire CIC
Social enterprises play an important role in addressing local challenges, supporting people facing barriers to opportunity and place social purpose at the heart of their business models.
First Minister John Swinney said: “Social enterprises make a vital contribution to Scotland’s communities, creating jobs, generating billions of pounds in economic value and reinvesting profits into causes that improve people’s lives.
“I congratulate all the winners, finalists and nominees for their commitment to supporting people and building a fairer and more prosperous Scotland. From tackling poverty and homelessness to creating opportunities for young people, their work shows the positive impact social enterprise can have.
“As we develop our new Social Economy Strategy, we will continue working with the sector to build on its success.”
Chris Martin, CEO of Social Enterprise Scotland said: “This year’s winners show the very best of social enterprise in Scotland. From creating opportunities for young people to tackling poverty, improving lives and protecting our environment, they demonstrate what’s possible when business put people and planet first.
At a time when so many communities are facing real challenges, these organisations aren’t just responding to problems, they’re building sustainable solutions. Every winner deserves recognition, not just for what they’ve achieved, but for showing us the kind of economy Scotland can become.
Congratulations to all our winners and finalists. Scotland’s social enterprise sector has much to be proud of.”
The evening also played host to the Social Innovation Challenge, organised by Firstport. The winner of the Social Innovation Competition 2026 is Herd Dynamics CIC. Using an innovative approach that draws on experience from equine therapy, Herd Dynamics CIC uses equine-assisted learning to help businesses develop stronger leaders while creating opportunities for young people facing significant barriers. The £30,000 prize will enable them to ramp up sales capacity, so they can build on the traction built to date.