There are five categories in which you can nominate a person, project or team for a COSLA Excellence Award.
- Category 1: Service innovation and improvement
- Category 2: Achieving better outcomes for the most vulnerable in partnership
- Category 3: Tackling inequalities and improving health and wellbeing
- Category 4: Strengthening communities and local democracy
- Category 5: Just transition to a net zero economy
In addition, there are a further four awards which are chosen from the shortlisted applications submitted for each category. These are:
Best Team Award (sponsored by Solace)
This coveted accolade is awarded in recognition of projects that demonstrate outstanding all round team performance or ground breaking partnership working.
COSLA Chairperson's Award
Selected from our short listed applications, the winner will demonstrate achievements supporting children and young people in the community that have been made in exceptional circumstances or that are beyond the specific award categories.
Delivering Excellence Award
Awarded in recognition of public sector excellence for projects that have demonstrated particular achievements, often outwith the specific criteria of the main award categories.
Excellent Outcomes, Excellent People Award
Effective people are at the heart of local government excellence, and this award seeks out innovative projects that have made an outstanding impact by transforming workforces and equipping staff to rise to new challenges criteria of the main award categories.
Entries are judged by a panel of experienced assessors with expertise from across Scottish Local Government.
To ensure that our judges are able to make the most informed decision, the judging process involves three stages:
- Assessor teams from across Scotland evaluate each submission and decide on ten to be long leeted for each category.
- COSLA judges consider the long leet and decide on three applicants to short leet.
- Short leeted applicants are invited to a session with the judging panel. One overall winner is chosen per category.
The 2024 awards ceremony is expected to take place on Thursday, 19th September as part of the COSLA Annual Conference and Exhibition.
All awards finalists will be invited to attend the awards ceremony.
More details will be shared on our website and social media channels as soon as possible.
Applications open for the 2024 awards on Monday 8th April. We recommend reading our FAQs here first to support with the most commonly asked questions.