COMHAIRLE nan Eilean Siar, the Outer Hebrides Community Planning Partner ship and Hi-Trans have been recognised for groundbreaking work undertaken to promote community engagement at the Government Opportunities (GO) Excellence in Public Procurement Awards Scotland 2016/17.
Using a participatory budgeting approach, the contracts for public transport services in Uist and Barra were opened up for more involvement from the community throughout the procurement process.
Community councils, youth councils, bus users and members of the community were able to identify and vote on priorities and evaluate proposals received from bus operators so that contracts could be awarded.