The Rural Innovator Awards are run by Scottish Rural Action and seek to recognise and showcase some of the most innovative and effective ways in which rural challenges can be addressed.

Prizes are awarded to a project, person or organisation who is improving life in rural communities by tackling one of the priority challenges.

Highlands Small Communities Housing Trust spokesperson, Ronnie MacRae, said: “We are delighted that our Rent to Buy Scheme has been nominated in the Rural Innovator Awards 2016. The main benefits of the scheme is that it is viable in many communities and it is based on loan funding rather than grant funding making it work in any economic climate. As a pioneer of innovative housing models this is one of the ways in which we can help and support families and our rural communities to thrive.”

Other projects nominated in the category include an Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA) welfare advice project, Scottish Borders Housing Association’s Rutherford Square and the Ulva Ferry Housing Project.

Alastair MacGregor, chief executive of ACHA, said: “The value of our welfare rights service has been demonstrated as the project has brought in £1.8 million since it began in May 2015. The benefits system for tenants both in and out of work can be daunting and our project not only provides help for our tenants but by extension the wider community too.”

Scottish Rural Action national coordinator, Emma Cooper, added: “We are very excited to be able to start accepting votes for the Rural Innovators Awards. Some incredible and inspiring projects were nominated for the awards in this category and shortlisting was a challenging task. We would encourage people to have a look at the shortlisted projects on our website and choose the project they find most innovative and inspiring. The awards will be presented at the Scottish Rural Parliament in Brechin.”

Voting is available online until midnight on September 18.

Winners will receive a paid-for place at the Scottish Rural Parliament 2016 on October 6-8 taking place at Brechin Community Campus in Angus and will have the opportunity to present their project to delegates.