Our categories for the Helping It Happen Awards 2026 provide yet another opportunity for us to showcase the fantastic work going on all over in rural Scotland.
The categories are tailored so that there will be something to suit every kind of business or project. Whether you submit an entry for yourself, or on behalf of someone else, we want to hear your stories!
Find out more about this years categories below.
Closing date for nominations is 23:59 on 30 June 2026.
Our categories for the Helping It Happen Awards 2026
Rural Champion Award
sponsored by: 
The Royal Countryside Fund’s Rural Champion will be awarded to someone who has made a significant, lasting impact on their rural community in Scotland. The winner will receive £10,000 for their community organisation from The Royal Countryside Fund (RCF).
To be eligible for this award:
- The individual, or their organisation, needs to have been nominated for one of the other 2026 Scottish Land & Estates 'Helping it Happen' award categories.
- The nominee is working with a rural community organisation that meets RCF's funding criteria, as detailed on the RCF website.
The nomination form for this award can be found on the RCF website.
Conservation Award
sponsored by: 
This award highlights best practice in conservation work across Scotland, where land managers and rural businesses are protecting some of Scotland’s most iconic species and habitats for future generations to enjoy.
Criteria (one or more should apply):
• You or your organisation works towards the preservation of a specific wildlife or habitat?
• You manage parts of your estate, farm, forest or croft to create a safe home to rare or unusual species of wildlife
• You have evidence of successfully improving the local environment for plants or animals
• You participate in raising awareness about the local wildlife and encouraging landscape-wide environmental protection
Education Award
sponsored by: 
The role of education in raising awareness of land management practices and all aspects of rural life is of critical importance. This award recognises those who are supporting and creating opportunities for future generations to gain key rural skills, and for those enhancing the opportunities for learning in Scotland’s rural communities.
Criteria (one or more should apply):
• You are/your business is involved with schools/colleges/universities/youth outreach programmes.
• You have/your business has been involved in mentoring programmes.
• You are/your business is reskilling unemployed individuals and offering them new opportunities.
• You are/your business is offering work experiences and the opportunity to learn on the job.
• You are/your business is offering activities, nature trails, etc. to get people interested and engaged in the countryside.
Enhancing Our Environment through Land Management Award
sponsored by: 
Scotland’s world-beating rural landscapes and natural heritage have long been a major draw for its own people and visitors alike. Not only are these iconic landscapes valued in their own right, they also play a vital role in our fight against climate change through activities such as tree planting and peatland restoration. This award recognises the fantastic projects, both large and small, being carried out across Scotland to support these goals.
Criteria (one or more should apply):
• You are involved in river, peatland or other landscape restoration.
• You are engaged in a tree re-planting project.
• You are managing land which is home to a rare or iconic species of plant.
• You are actively working to remove invasive/harmful species.
• You have adapted processes in line with environmental considerations and are seeing net-benefits from this.
Good News Award
sponsored by: 
This is for a journalist/content creator that has produced an original piece of work that has focused on and promoted a good news story about rural Scotland. This could be anyone from a single content creator to a full-blown media company and covers material generated for broadcast (radio or tv), or for publication in print or online, including newspapers, magazines, social media, video and podcast. The work must have been published or broadcast for the first time in the 12 months prior to the closing date for nomination.
Criteria (one or more should apply):
• You have inspired change in the rural sector through communicating your message
• You have shared a story about rural Scotland that has reached a large audience
• You have effectively painted the work of rural businesses in a positive light in the media
• You have helped to change perceptions of a business or organisation in the rural sector
• You have taken an innovative approach to communicating a message about rural Scotland
Innovation in Farming Award
sponsored by: 
The agricultural sector in Scotland is changing, and innovation will be vital for businesses to succeed in the future. This award recognises those who are doing things differently, no matter what size or scale of farming is being carried out, and whether that be in diversification or the introduction of new or exciting farming techniques.
Criteria (one or more should apply):
• You can demonstrate how you have embraced new practices which are beneficial from a business or an environmental perspective.
• You take risks – perhaps your ideas are designed to solve real-world problems and to explore new potential opportunities.
• Your innovations could revolutionise the industry – do you think you are at the forefront of something big?
• You've made a small change but are seeing big results.
• You feel that what may have seemed like a common-sense, easy change to you could be the spark that changes farming across Scotland.
Iver Salvesen Award for Combatting Climate Change
sponsored by: 
The Iver Salvesen Award for Combatting Climate Change is for businesses which are finding success, either while or by implementing processes or measures which contribute towards efficient and sustainable goals. This award is given in the memory of Ecological entrepreneur Iver Salvesen who passed away in 2016.
Criteria (one or more should apply):
• Your business operates with a mindful approach towards the issue of climate change.
• You have taken additional steps to reduce your businesses’ carbon footprint and to reduce emissions.
• Your business creates environmentally friendly produce.
• Part of your profits go towards causes designed to fight the climate crisis.
• Your business operates using easily recycled and renewable materials.
• Your business is finding significant success and is known in your community because of the measures you implement.
The Award for Outstanding Contribution to Rural Scotland
The Award for Outstanding Contribution to Rural Scotland aims to celebrate an individual who has spent his or her life working in and for Scotland’s countryside. Going above and beyond what most people would be willing to do, the winner of our Award for Outstanding Contribution to Rural Scotland is someone who has contributed so significantly to an aspect of rural Scotland, that they deserve to have their efforts repaid in kind. The public will not be able to submit nominations for this category, and rather than there being a range of finalists, there shall only be one winner who is celebrated.
Rural Business Award
Sponsored by: 
This award recognises the innovative, diverse and even quirky business opportunities being grasped by a range of estates and land-based businesses across rural Scotland. A diverse category, this award aims to ensure that any rural business which is making a contribution to the local or national rural economy has a chance to be recognised.
Criteria (one or more should apply):
• You own or are part of a business that has stood the test of time.
• You are branching out into other areas of business – perhaps in addition to being a functioning farming property, you also have a café, sell produce direct, or other forms of attractions designed to encourage direct engagement.
• Your business has established itself as a landmark of the local area.
• Your business is just starting out, but has already created a significant name for itself.
• You can demonstrate a significant contribution to the local economy.
Rural Property Award
sponsored by: 
The aim of this award is to highlight those who are providing or contributing towards the creation of a sustainable built environment supporting development, growth, and community in rural Scotland. This category includes not only those responsible for the building of quality rented housing that positively impacts local communities, but also includes those showing outstanding design and architecture, whether by creating new buildings in the style of older surrounding properties, through the adaptation and reuse of existing buildings for a wide variety of purposes or by creating something modern, unique and eye catching. To be considered as part of this category, construction on the project must already be finished and have been completed in the last 18 months. Applications with only concept designs will not be accepted. The buildings can serve any purpose from residential to commercial or community interest.
Criteria (one or more should apply):
• You/your business designs or builds high quality buildings in our rural environment.
• You/your business supports the community through innovative solutions, use of the local supply chain and regeneration in rural areas.
• You/your business designs and carries out heritage and conservation projects preserving for the next generation and beyond – from small-scale to large.
• You/your business is responsible for a truly visually unique building, or an architectural design which puts a modern twist on classic aesthetics.
Rural Rising Star Award
Sponsored by: 
The Rural Rising Star Award is designed with a variety of different types of nominations in mind. Whether a young person, fresh from high school, college or university who has their sights set on a rural-based career; an individual who has swapped careers and is totally new to the industry; or someone familiar with the countryside who has managed to step out from the shadows to make a name for themselves, this award is designed to shine a light on those who have shown growth, determination, and who we think are the ones to watch in the rural sector in the coming years! To be considered as part of this category, you/your nominated individual must be 35 years old or under.
Criteria (one or more should apply):
• You are/you know of someone who has swapped careers and is using their previous experience from a different field of expertise to make improvements to rural life.
• You are/you know a young person who has shown initiative, drive, or persistence in their goals to attain a rural-based career.
• You are/you know of someone who has started to make a name for themselves, or is showing leadership qualities, having taken some years to hone their skills and learn their strengths.
Tourism & Visitor Management Award
sponsored by: 
This award is for those businesses and estates with a focus on tourism and visitor management. We want to celebrate those delivering first class tourism and recreation across rural Scotland.
Criteria (one or more should apply):
• You have been planning and preparing to open new innovative tourism-focussed opportunities.
• Your business/you provide a service or product which has significantly helped businesses in the tourism and visitor management in your local area.
• You have evidence that your tourism endeavours have been beneficial for local residents.
Working with Communities Award
sponsored by: 
This award is for outstanding community projects. Whether through voluntary work, participating in local events or contributing to local enterprise, this award aims to highlight those doing all they can to make their local communities a great place to live.
Criteria (one or more should apply):
• You have/your business has provided space, funding, or opportunities for collaboration with local groups.
• You/your business has participated in fundraising or aid for local causes.
• You/your business regularly engages with community groups in their activities.
• You/your business has shown community spirit by offering a service or assistance to local residents.