The Plunkett Foundation is welcoming applications for this year’s annual awards celebrating achievements of rural community businesses in tackling rural issues.

The 2018 Rural Community Ownership Awards, which are being sponsored by the Hastoe Housing Association, are open for entries until 14 September.

They celebrate and raise awareness of the unique contributions community businesses make to creating resilient, thriving and inclusive rural communities.

Entering the awards is free. Full details of how to enter are available here.

Being shortlisted can provide a great boost to the pride and satisfaction of the volunteers and staff who do so much to make community businesses what they are;

Each category winner will receive £250 as well as the support and materials to host a celebration party for their local community.

Each category winner will receive an award to display and use to impress funders and customers, while being invited to attend an awards ceremony in London.

As well as celebrating success, Plunkett says the awards help give communities the confidence to explore co-operation as a way of tackling their own challenges.

The awards are also made possible throughout the continued support of Esmée Fairbairn Foundation – helping Plunkett spread the message of community business.