Vision in Business for the Environment (VIBES) awards 2007

Come along to this application workshop at Cowan House, Inverness retail and business park, Inverness IV2 7GF - Wednesday 9 May - 10.00-13.00. Light lunch included.

To register to attend this workshop - and learn how to plan and submit your application - telephone Linsey McGillivray on 01896 754797 or email vibes@sepa.org.uk

How to get to Cowan House

About the VIBES awards

Organisations in Scotland are taking significant steps to improve or reduce their impact on the environment, saving money in the process. VIBES 2007 is being held to recognise and showcase best practice.

The main aims of the competition are to:

• encourage the efficient use of resources
• enhance the competitiveness of organisations
• improve environmental performance
• support the wider goals of sustainable development including social benefits through community and staff involvement.

Awards will be given in three organisation size categories at a high profile awards ceremony in December 2007. This is a valuable opportunity to have the success of your organisation widely recognised.

The VIBES competition is also a feeder for European Business Awards for the Environment where the categories are best management, product/service, process and international co-operation for sustainable development.

What are the judging criteria?

Entrants will be assessed against the following criteria:

• Commitment - Is the organisation committed to good environmental practice and sustainable development and is it part of policy and future plans?
• Action and achievement -  Have actions to improve environmental performance and sustainable development been taken and what has been achieved as a result?

Who can apply?

This award is open to any organisation operating in Scotland. Applicants will be asked to put forward a site or premises for the awards. Organisations with a number of sites are welcome to make more than one application.

There are three categories, depending on the number of employees in the organisation as a whole, namely:

• Organisations with more than 250 employees
• Organisations with between 50 and 250 employees
• Organisations with fewer than 50 employees

How are the winners selected?

Site visits will be used to select winners in all sizes from shortlisted candidates. A judging panel will select the national category winners and present their awards at a ceremony in December 2007. Additional awards for best management, product/service, process or international co-operation and commendations may also be made.

Find out more on the VIBES website

The VIBES awards are supported by the HIE network