EcoCity Awards for community groups and schools

07 December 2015

Projects which have been organised by community groups and schools to improve the environment of Aberdeen have been recognised at a city-wide awards ceremony.

The Aberdeen EcoCity Awards, organised by Aberdeen City Council, recognise the contribution of people to initiatives which enhance the environment and help make a difference to the quality of life in the city.

Aberdeen City Council Communities, Housing and Infrastructure convener Councillor Neil Cooney, who presented some of the awards, said: "It is great to see people take pride in their communities and be prepared to roll up their sleeves and get on with the job of improving their local environment. It takes hands and hearts to enhance our communities whether through litter picking, improving greenspaces or learning about the environment.

"It is good that so many schools and community groups in Aberdeen are going the extra mile to improve and enhance their local environment.

"The standard of entries this year has been very high and it is inspiring to hear about all of those who were nominated for an Eco City Award."

Community groups, schools, individuals, universities and business have entered the awards. The 2015 winners were announced at a ceremony at Aberdeen's Town House today. The winners and runners up are:

Eco Learning Award which recognises the quality of the environmental education provided to pupils, students and/or staff: winner - Doomed?Hanover Street School; runner up- Northfield Academy Food Waste Transition Project.

Community Award which recognises community groups, charities or the voluntary sector making a difference to the local environment: winner - Brighter Bucksburn; runner up - Slopefield Allotments.

Junior In Bloom Award which recognises schools and groups working with children to design and enhance their green space: winner - Riverbank in Bloom; runner up - Fishies Playgroup Play Escape.

Community 'Growing Smarter' Award which recognises an inspired green project idea: winner - Greenfingers, Aberdeen Foyer; runner up - Community Garden Victoria Park.

Clean Up Aberdeen Champion Award which recognises the work of individuals/groups to remove litter and clean up areas of the city: joint winners - Marine Laboratory Staff, and Heb Nicoll.

Community Champion Award which recognises the work of an individual who drives and inspires change and improvement to their local space and community: joint winners - Pat Lawrence, Cummings Park Community Flat, and Everest Akumonye, Fishies Playgroup Play Escape.