Recognition on the way for Gaelic Community and Business of the Year

Nominations are now being sought for the community and business which have done most towards the growth and revitalisation of the Gaelic language over the past year.

The competitions, being launched by Comunn na Gàidhlig and in conjunction with Highlands and Islands Enterprise, come with cash prizes. The winners in both categories will receive £3,000, runners-up will receive £1,500 and third place nominations will each get £500.

“Gleus – Gaelic Community of the Year”

Nominations for ‘Gleus’, the Gaelic Community of the Year should highlight communities which can demonstrate the use of Gaelic as a spoken language, high visibility of the language in the community, frequency of ‘Gàidhealach’ (Gaelic cultural) social events, the availability of Gaelic education and childcare and the use of Gaelic amongst young people, or those who are making strong progress towards the above.

Entries for Gleus, The Community of the Year competition, may be made by any recognised and clearly defined community throughout the Highlands and Islands. There are no strict limits to the size of the community, be it a township, village or collection of townships or villages as long as the area can be defined as having a sense of belonging to a common community.

“Gnìomh – Gaelic Business of the Year”

Gnìomh – The Gaelic Business of the Year award will go to the businesses that can best demonstrate a strong use of Gaelic among staff, and with customers, which has a high level of visibility of the language within the company and which uses Gaelic in branding/marketing of the company or its products. Again, businesses making strong progress towards these objectives could be eligible.

Enties for Gniomh, The Gaelic Business of the Year is open any recognised commercial enterprise operating as a business. It should be operating on a stand-alone basis rather than as part of a wider Group and should not be part of the operation of local authorities, enterprise companies or organisations funded by public agencies.

“Opportunities through the use of Gaelic”

Donald MacNeill, Chief Executive of Comunn na Gaidhlig, said: “We know there are communities and businesses out there who are making strong efforts to help revitalise Gaelic, and who are playing their part in the overall development effort. We are delighted to be able to run these competitions to be able to reward them in some small way. Not only does this benefit the communities and businesses themselves, but by considering what they have done, we can learn lessons that may be applicable elsewhere.”

Alasdair Macleod, Gaelic Development Officer with Highlands Enterprise said, “HIE has a strong focus on businesses and communities developing themselves and realising new opportunities through the use of Gaelic. Not least because many of the communities where Gaelic is strongest are those which face some of the greatest development challenges. Success is the best persuader, and we are convinced that highlighting achievements here will spur others on.”

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