The VIBES - Scottish Environment Business Awards - reward businesses whose management, processes and products have reduced their impact on the environment and created positive economic and social outcomes.

There are 12 award categories. Your application can be considered for more than one category. 

The award categories are:

• Vision in Business Scotland, with the subcategories:
  • Best Large Business (more than 250 employees)
  • Best Medium Business (50 to 250 employees)
  • Best Small Business (fewer than 50 employees)
  • Best New Business (registered with Companies House and trading for less than 2 years)
• Product Scotland
• Service Scotland
• Circular Scotland
• Just Transition Scotland
• Sustainable Transport Scotland
• Energy Transition Scotland
• Nature Rich Scotland
• Green Fund Award (from the STV Green Fund)

Benefits for businesses

Businesses can benefit in a number of ways from applying for a VIBES Award. 

Many businesses find that completing the application form is a useful way to check their own environmental performance.

All applicants receive bespoke feedback, including suggestions on how to improve their application, along with details of the support available from the VIBES partner organisations.

VIBES finalists benefit from an enhanced business profile and public recognition of their achievements through VIBES promotional activities and the use of the “VIBES finalist” logo. The winners in each category will also feature in a case study and video to highlight their achievements, and can use the “VIBES winner” logo on their own material.

In 2023, for the first time, one of the VIBES award winners will receive £30,000 worth of airtime to create an on-air campaign, in collaboration with STV, to help grow their business.

The VIBES Awards ceremony, and other promotional events run by the VIBES team, are excellent opportunities to network with like-minded businesses.

Application process:

The application process is split into 2 stages:

Stage 1 – Businesses apply through the VIBES online application portal. The application form is designed to draw out information particular to each award category so the judging panel can assess your application.

Stage 2 - The applications that score highest in Stage 1 will be selected as finalists and will receive a site visit from the judges.

The VIBES Awards are a partnership between:

• Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)
• The Scottish Government
• Energy Saving Trust
• Highland and Islands Enterprise
• South of Scotland Enterprise
• NatureScot
• Scottish Enterprise
• Scottish Water
• Zero Waste Scotland

Private sector businesses, social enterprises and community businesses are all eligible to apply for the VIBES awards.

This is an award scheme. It is free to apply. 

All businesses in Scotland.

Dates for the VIBES awards process in 2023 are: 

• 1 March 2023 - applications opened
• 14 April 2023 - applications close
• May to July 2023 - site visits
• September 2023 - final panel judges meeting
• November 2023 – VIBES ceremony

VIBES runs a number of events throughout the year in addition to the awards ceremony. 

Visit the VIBES website for more information.