Registration for two long-standing environmental improvement initiatives, Beautiful Scotland and It’s Your Neighbourhood are now open until 30 April 2023 and there is no cost to take part.

These initiatives aim to encourage and inspire community action and feed into the Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) UK-wide Britain in Bloom campaign.

Beautiful Scotland is for groups who have come together to improve their whole village, town or city, and has judged and non-judged categories, with prestigious awards up for grabs.

It’s Your Neighbourhood is for smaller scale projects such as a community garden, a Friends of Park group, or a group of neighbours improving their street or a nearby green space. It isn’t a competition but has Levels of Achievement to encourage progression.

Groups who register for either initiative will receive support, mentoring and recognition for their ongoing greening and growing efforts throughout the year, and have opportunities to nominate themselves for a range of awards.

While shrubs, flowers and trees are an important part of an entry, there is also a significant focus on environmental, biodiversity and climate change issues, such as reducing water use, planting for wildlife and repurposing or recycling, as well as addressing litter, graffiti and improving vacant properties or sites.

Juliette Camburn, Community Projects Officer at Keep Scotland Beautiful said:

“It is becoming increasingly important to focus action on climate change and take positive steps to protect and enhance biodiversity in communities. Volunteers across Scotland make a huge contribution to the essential work being done to tackle the climate and nature emergency we are facing, helping make Scotland clean, green and sustainable for nature and people.

“We’d love people from well-established groups, through to those just starting out, to register for free support and recognition through the Beautiful Scotland or It’s Your Neighbourhood initiatives this year – joining a network of passionate people.”

Find out where groups registered in 2022 are on the Beautiful Scotland and It’s Your Neighbourhood map.

Visit the Beautiful Scotland and It’s Your Neighbourhood webpages for more information.