Community groups across Scotland are being urged to register and take part in Keep Scotland Beautiful's 2020 Beautiful Scotland and It's Your Neighbourhood initiatives.

Run in partnership with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), the programmes provide the opportunity for local groups to gain recognition for their efforts to deliver environmental improvements and enhance their local places and spaces.

Beautiful Scotland and It's Your Neighbourhood both provide the opportunity for communities to access support, encouragement and national recognition for their hard work throughout the year and link in with a national network of other communities facing similar challenges. 

Catherine Gee, Operations Director at Keep Scotland Beautiful said: "I hope that community groups from all across Scotland will take part in the Its Your Neighbourhood and Beautiful Scotland initiatives this year. These are fantastic opportunities to recognise, support and reward the enthusiasm and drive of volunteers who take pride in their local areas and make significant improvements to the places and spaces they love.

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"We were overwhelmed with the efforts of everyone that took part in 2019 and very much look forward to helping even more groups throughout 2020."

This year's themes will see participants celebrating the Year of Coasts and Waters 2020 and Keep Scotland Beautiful's 20th birthday – bringing together people of all ages to clean up and green up their communities.

Beautiful Scotland celebrates and supports the efforts of entire villages, towns, cities, Business Improvement Districts and communities across Scotland. It has an extensive set of categories and awards, with judging focused on the core areas of horticultural achievement, environmental responsibility and community participation.

Alice Soper from Growing Kirkcaldy said: "Growing Kirkcaldy enters Beautiful Scotland each year. We are keen to know what we are doing well and where there are areas for improvement, so we regard the judging as a positive and constructive exercise that helps us to plan ahead.

"Over the years we have come to know many other Scottish participants, who all provide encouragement and also share our successes at the awards ceremonies. Through Beautiful Scotland, Keep Scotland Beautiful provides a wealth of information for voluntary groups – this is much appreciated – loads of good ideas emerge too!"

Smaller scale projects are encouraged to enter the non-competitive Its Your Neighbourhood initiative, where community allotments, friends of park groups, after-school clubs and community gardens can take part and receive ongoing support and recognition.

Susie Stott from Queens Cross Housing Association said: "It's Your Neighbourhood is a good bench mark and motivator for both staff and people that volunteer in our growing spaces. It gives our volunteers a sense of pride in their achievements and the assessments help with the future planning for the next year ahead with goals to aim for."

(MH/CM)