media co-op won the inaugural IDBM Award earlier this month at the Social Enterprise Scotland Awards 2024.
Louise, Lucinda, and Vilte attended the awards ceremony in the Scottish Parliament on the 7th November and were absolutely blown away when media co-op was named the first winner of the new award championing Inclusive and Democratic Business Models (IDBMs).
The award was jointly sponsored by Co-operatives UK and the Employee Ownership Association and celebrates Scottish businesses that have driven “exceptional impact.”
Needless to say, we are delighted to have been recognised for our work. For over 20 years we’ve been putting people over profit and sharing the brilliant work the third sector in Scotland does every day. Thank you to everyone who has ever worked for us, with us, or beside us – this award is for you.
“Just being shortlisted was an amazing birthday present for media co-op’s twentieth year! I believe our ’super-power’ – the thing that’s given us resilience – is that we, the workers at media co-op, are also the owners of media co-op. We all have our individual roles but we’re also equals. When we face challenges, we pool our knowledge, skills, resourcefulness and our creativity, to find solutions. media co-op is all about co-operation and co-operation is based on mutual respect and trust; between each other and between ourselves and others.”
– Louise Scott, media co-op co-founder
Among the shortlisted entrants for the award were 4 other co-op businesses: Scotland the Bread, West Granton Housing Co-op, Scotmid, and Loco Home Retrofit. Esteem Training, an employee owned business, rounded off the six nominees. Of course, we also offer a huge round of applause for the 5 other nominees, whose work is just as impactful and meaningful in their communities.
Our big news was featured in Co-operative News and on Co-operative UK’s website!
“Congratulations to media co-op for this well-deserved recognition at the Social Enterprise Scotland Awards. At Co-operatives UK, we’re incredibly proud to see our members leading the way in driving positive impact and transforming communities. This award highlights the power of co-operative values in building a fairer, more sustainable economy for everyone. Well done to media co-op and all the shortlisted co-operatives for showcasing the true strength and spirit of the co-operative movement.”
– Rose Marley, CEO, Co-operatives UK
There’s so much good being done by Inclusive and Democratic Businesses all over Scotland, and we are honoured to be a part of the movement. Co-ops forever!