Forward Scotland is delighted to announce the shortlist for its Champions for Sustainable Communities Awards.

After much deliberation the following people have been shortlisted for this year’s awards.

• Kevin McDermott – Kevin has managed and developed the ‘rural environment action project’ (REAP) in Keith for ten years. Kevin has been instrumental in the success of a variety of projects including the Elgin Area Credit Union and the Moray anti-poverty initiative. He has helped guide many community groups as well as pioneering social auditing and participative appraisal.
• Bob McIlwraith – Bob has worked tirelessly to establish and maintain a number of renewable and sustainable woodfuel projects in Argyll and beyond. He has worked with developers, housing associations and suppliers as well as provided advice and practical help to the communities involved.
• Faisal Yusuf – Yusuf works as an environmental development officer in Glasgow. In the last year he has encouraged 29 community groups to adopt a public space. Thanks to his hard work and enthusiasm, over 1200 volunteers have worked with him to keep Glasgow clean and improve the local environment.
• Ron Smith – Ron is the local planner for the Gorbals area. Ron has worked with and listened to the local communities in order that regeneration proposals reflect their needs and aspirations. He has worked particularly hard at ensuring that the physical aspects of renewal are linked to cultural, economic and social elements.
• Randy Klinger – Randy has been the driving force behind the creation of the Moray Art Centre. He has worked to ensure that the building was built using locally sourced materials and renewable technology. The centre has created local employment and flexible facilities for use by the whole community.
• Helen Houston – Helen is a part-time development officer for the Alness initiative. She has been pivotal in many schemes including the refurbishment of a community centre, the provision of improved play facilities, the installation of renewable heating systems and the provision of family learning projects.
• Andrew Wells – Andrew is a countryside and forestry manager on the Glenlivet estate. He has worked extensively with the local community through regular liaison meetings and open days. He has set up partnership projects with public agencies and community groups as well as initiating a number of tourism projects to help with the economic development of the local area.

• Liz Stewart – Liz founded Invisible Heating Systems, a company that designs and supplies efficient and renewable heating systems. The company has become the largest employer in Ullapool, where its head office is located. Liz purchased land in Ullapool and plans to provide quality, affordable, zero-carbon housing for local staff. Liz also provides free advice on renewables to the local community and guidance to local school children.
  
• Jo Harbisher – Jo has been responsible for setting up a corporate social responsibility mandate for the Apex Hotel group. She has worked to reduce waste, reduce delivery mileage and increase the purchase of locally sourced food and drink. She has encouraged the hotels to host complimentary local trader and resident meetings and donate unwanted items to local charities.
• Tom Brock OBE – Tom is the chief executive of the Scottish Seabird Centre, a tourist attraction providing virtual access to the Bass Rock. Tom has been instrumental to the success of the centre which has brought employment and community facilities to North Berwick. He has instigated vigorous environmental and sustainability policies as well as being involved in a number of community campaigns.

• Ada Campbell -  Ada has been the driving force behind the re-use of a vacant school and house in an area of North Uist with no community facilities.  She set up Urachadh Uibhist (Renewing Uist) in 1997, to take forward this project. Ada had long recognised the need within the area for a range of community facilities, particularly pre-school provision. The building houses learning facilities, a food production kitchen using local produce, a café, office space and vegetable & play garden. The extension is nearing completion and the energy will be provided using a heat pump.
• Eva Schonveld – Eva set up the Portobello Energy Descent & Land Reform (PEDAL) group, introducing the Transition Town approach to Scotland to help tackle climate change and peak oil through positive community action. Eva has led on projects including the development of a community orchard, a car-free day and children’s bike ride. Eva’s work in Edinburgh has resulted in a Transition City initiative, focusing on easing the transition to a move from an oil-based to a sustainable economy.
• Maureen Burgess – Maureen was instrumental as secretary of the Newburgh Regeneration Group in pushing forward the conversion of derelict land next to the River Tay into a recreational park. This involved securing grant funding, writing an Environmental Assessment and establishing initiatives to enhance the park and encourage community involvement. This has set a precedent for further community projects inspired by Maureen’s enthusiasm and leadership.
• Sandy Murray – Sandy chairs the North Sutherland Community Forest Trust. Sandy has been instrumental in brokering a groundbreaking agreement to involve the community in the management of the areas woodlands, bringing social and economic benefits to the sparse local communities, from the establishment of a sawmill and woodfuel supply to training events and the construction of a log cabin-style office and workshop complex from local timber.
  
• Jacky Wilson – Jacky works as a full-time volunteer for the Kirkconnel parish heritage society. Over the last 10 years he has helped to bring new employment to the area, created pathways and promoted intergenerational environmental work. Jacky has nurtured the society and most recently helped to set up its trading subsidiary in order to ensure its long-term sustainability.
• Lynne Bannister – Lynne has been a volunteer ‘waste prevention champion’ for the communities reducing excess waste (CREW) project run by Friends of the Earth Scotland. Lynne has helped her local community to improve the environment by reducing waste but she has also facilitated social cohesion by running monthly ‘give or take’ days and working with a variety of local organisations.
• Ian Leaver – Ian has been the driving force behind the Isle of Eigg ‘green electrification scheme’. This community project has led to the provision of renewable electricity to every home, business and community building on the island. As well as fundraising, Ian supported a group of volunteers to help deliver the first project that combines hydro, wind and solar energy.
• Cathy Agnew – Cathy has been extensively involved in the regeneration of the Glenkens community. She has helped to transform the old school into an arts centre (the Catstrand), as well as establishing a business forum, community transport scheme and a benefits project for older people.

• Suleman Chebe – Suleman has worked hard to raise awareness and funds to improve the lives of people in his native Ghana. He has held drumming and storytelling workshops in schools, alongside performances at the Edinburgh Festival and Kilsyth Carnival to help foster an understanding of different cultures. He is chair of the Scottish Ghana Association and helps support African students and immigrants assimilate into Scotland.
• Ian Mitchell – Ian has been instrumental in teaching the community of Bohinj in Slovenia about the principles of sustainable development. He has helped them to both protect and utilise their natural environment to bring about sustainable economic development in the area. He has used his own experience in the Northern Highlands to respond to the needs of the community in Bohinj.

To find out more about the Champions for Sustainable Communities Awards click here.

All media enquiries should be directed to Jenny.Hogan@Forward-Scotland.org.uk (t.0560 0010 575 / 560) or  Stuart Hall (t. 01786 450675 - theres@yerdinner.fsnet.co.uk).