The Celebrate Aberdeen Awards 2025 are now open for nominations.
In its sixth year, the event recognises and celebrates the outstanding positive impact that individuals, organisations and volunteers from across the North-east’s third sector make to thousands of lives across the region.
Submissions are invited for eight categories this year, with a new category, Community Impact of the Year, being added for the first time. This category will recognise a group or organisation that has made a significant and lasting difference in their local community. This could be through a project, initiative, or ongoing support that has made a real impact towards improving lives and strengthening community connections.
This year also sees the categories for Volunteer and Fundraiser of the year now blended into a single category of Volunteer/Fundraiser of the Year.
The awards are open to all third sector organisations in Aberdeen city and shire, including charities, social enterprises, voluntary groups and those who volunteer for third sector organisations.
The focus of the entries should be on activities carried out between April 1st, 2024, and March 31st, 2025, and organisations can only apply for a maximum of three categories this year.
Deadline for submitting applications is Monday, August 18th with finalists announced on Wednesday, September 17th. Three finalists will be selected in each category with finalists invited to attend informal interviews with the judges in October.
Winners will be named at a gala awards ceremony which will be attended by more than 300 people at the Chester Hotel, Aberdeen on Saturday, November 1. Thanks to the generosity of sponsors from Aberdeen business community up to five representatives of each finalist organisation or individual can attend the ceremony completely free of charge.
Without the support of our sponsors, and the hard work of a small team of volunteers, the event could not take place.
This year’s principal supporters are CNR, CNOOC, Aberdeen Inspired and CALA Homes all of whom have supported the event over the years and whose continuing support is invaluable and much appreciated. There are also opportunities for companies to get involved by sponsoring the various categories and through other sponsorship opportunities.
“The calibre of submissions we receive every year is testimony to the outstanding work taking place right across the region by the largely unsung heroes of the third sector,” said Celebrate Aberdeen volunteer Emily Findlay. “Over the years we have heard some humbling stories and met some truly inspirational people.
“Our past winners and finalists have come from a diverse range of organisations, large and small, but they’ve all made a significant positive impact on the people they support so we encourage all eligible groups to apply for these awards. We’d especially like to see organisations that have never submitted applications before come forward and those who may have applied previously but been unsuccessful on that occasion apply again.”
This is the second event in the 2025 Celebrate Aberdeen calendar.
The Celebrate Aberdeen parade, which is watched by thousands of spectators, will take place on Saturday, August 23, when around 130 organisations will follow a route down Union Street and through the city centre.
First held in 2011, the parade brings together an eclectic and inclusive group of third sector organisations, cultural organisations, youth groups, sports clubs, and music, dance, and entertainment groups. Registration for this year’s event closes on Wednesday, July 30.
For more information on the parade and to submit a nomination for the Celebrate Aberdeen Awards, visit www.celebrate-aberdeen.org
