Scotland’s leading social enterprises celebrated as 2026 Awards shortlist announced

Posted: 06 August 2026, in News

The Social Enterprise Awards Scotland shortlist has been unveiled today, following a record-breaking year which saw the highest number of entries in the Awards’ history.

Organised by Social Enterprise Scotland, the Awards celebrate the innovative organisations and businesses creating extraordinary impact in communities across Scotland, putting people and planet at the heart of their operations.

The shortlisted finalists were selected from the largest number of entries ever received, reflecting the sectors continued impact, diversity and resilience, and making this year’s judging process one of the most competitive to date.

The full 2026 shortlist is:

Social Enterprise of the Year (sponsored by Keegan and Pennykid)

  • Change Please Scotland
  • Community Renewal Trust
  • COPE Ltd
  • Flexible Childcare Services Scotland
  • Kanzen for Life
  • Social Bite

One to Watch (sponsored by PwC UK)

  • Bean 2 Work CIC
  • Craig Molloy Coaching
  • Creative Arts Therapies Space CIC
  • Murtle Market
  • Shore Psychology CIC
  • Training Days Banffshire CIC

Environmental Social Enterprise (sponsored by Morgan Sindall)

  • Changeworks
  • Scarf
  • Remake Scotland
  • New Start Highland
  • The Edinburgh Remakery

Building Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Justice (sponsored by Arachas3)

  • Arkbound Foundation SCIO
  • Datakirk
  • Glasgow Girls Club
  • Studio Lutalica
  • The Breadmaker

Health and Social Care (sponsored by The ALLIANCE: The Health and Social Alliance)

  • Highland Wellness Collective
  • Pathfinder CIC
  • Get Active Coaching CIC
  • Scottish Men’s Shed Association (SMSA)
  • South Ayrshire Escape From Homelessness (SeAscape) Ltd

Social Enterprise Innovation of the Year (sponsored by Community Enterprise)

  • Forge and Equip CIC
  • Humanitix
  • Socialudo
  • West Common Unity Market (part of The Courtyard Pantry Enterprise)

Education, Training and Jobs (sponsored by Glasgow City Council)

  • All Together Edinburgh
  • BRAG Enterprises
  • The Breadmaker
  • Narture CIC
  • Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company
  • Scran Academy

Consumer Facing Social Enterprise

  • Caledonia Cremation
  • COPE Ltd.
  • Hey Girls
  • Homelands Trust Fife
  • Narture CIC
  • Unicorn Markets CIC

IDBM Community Wealth Building (sponsored by Balfour Beatty)

  • First Aid Training Co-op
  • Point and Sandwick Trust
  • Scarf
  • The Circle
  • Unicorn Markets CIC

Buy Social Scotland Market Builder (sponsored by AtkinsRealis)

  • Datakirk
  • Dundee Social Enterprise Network
  • Edinburgh Social Enterprise Network
  • Impact Hub Inverness
  • Keegan and Pennykid

Social Investment Deal of the Year (sponsored by Good Finance)

  • AHF (Architecture Heritage Fund) and Govan Workspace
  • Firstport and Just Breathe O2
  • Foundation Scotland and New Start Highland
  • Social Investment Scotland and Strathdearn Community Developments Affordable Homes Project
  • Scottish Edge and Fair Feast

Social Enterprise Employee Champion

  • Beverly Campbell, South Ayrshire Escape from Homelessness (SeAscape) Ltd.
  • Cara McGurn, MorphFit Gentle Movement Project
  • David Tan, Edinburgh Social Enterprise Network
  • Emma Sithole, BE United
  • Hannah Davidson, Kanzen for Life

Social Enterprise Volunteer Champion

  • Delia Smith Bucur, Women Ahead Enterprise
  • Elizabeth Spencer, Aberdeen Ethnic Minority Women’s Group
  • George Macdonald, The Breadmaker
  • Hazel Smith, South of Scotland Destination Alliance
  • Maryln O’Connor, Crafting Together

Chris Martin, Chief Executive Officer said:

“Congratulations to everyone who has been shortlisted for this year’s Social Enterprise Awards Scotland. With a record number of entries, reaching the shortlist is an outstanding achievement.

“The quality of applications this year was exceptional, highlighting the incredible innovation, impact and resilience of Scotland’s social enterprise community.

“We look forward to celebrating their achievements at our Awards Ceremony this October.”

The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony at the Radisson Blu Glasgow Hotel on the 28th of October. The event promises to be a night of celebration, inspiration, and recognition for the extraordinary efforts of Scotland’s social enterprises.

For more information on the Social Enterprise Awards Scotland 2026, please visit https://socialenterprise.scot/awards/