Applications are now open for the COSLA Excellence Awards 2023!

The COSLA Excellence Awards are about recognising the great work, talent and innovation across our councils and the exceptional people who deliver for our communities every day of the year. COSLA member councils are now invited to apply to recognise and celebrate their fantastic projects and teams.

Applications are open from Monday 3rd of April and will close on  Wednesday 31st May.

The COSLA Excellence Awards ceremony 2023 will take place on Thursday, 28 September 2023 in the Crieff Hydro Hotel as part of the COSLA Annual Conference. Shortlisted finalists in all categories will be invited to attend the awards ceremony.

Read more and find out how to apply here.

The COSLA Annual Conference is back in person – for the first time since 2019.

This year's conference will examine the question ”Is Scotland Living Well Locally?”. As one of the keynote events of the year, we will bring together a range of experts – from Scotland, UK and Europe, and across a range of sectors - all focused on examining what more Scottish Local Government and its partners can do to achieve better outcomes for our communities.

Come along and join the conversation!

The Annual Conference in 2023 will run from Thursday, 28 through to Friday, 29 September, with the Excellence Awards Ceremony and Dinner taking place on Thursday, 28 September 2023. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to be part of this essential debate - book your place now.

Download our flyer and book your place here.

Established in 1975, COSLA is the voice of Local Government in Scotland. We provide political leadership on national issues, and work with councils to improve local services and strengthen local democracy as a legitimate, respected sphere of government in Scotland.

Millions of people rely on the services that Local Government in Scotland delivers every day. Collectively, councils spend almost £19 billion a year on local services and employ over 240,000 people – nearly 10% of all employment in Scotland.

Follow the links below to find out more about COSLA.

Learn about COSLA

Read our 5-Year plan for Local Government

Meet our policy teams

Our job is to stand up for Local Government and represent it effectively. We are a councillor-led, cross party organisation, representing all 32 Local Authorities in Scotland. We work on behalf of our members to focus on their priorities, challenges and opportunities

Read Budget SOS: Save Our Services - our call for urgent action on financial challenges facing Councils

Meet our Presidential Team

Learn about how COSLA works

When it comes to your next conference, two considerations stand above any other: what is said and where it’s said. We like to think we have the where covered.

Situated in the heart of Edinburgh, right beside Haymarket railway station, COSLA’s Conference Centre is a modern, spacious venue with a wealth of flexible rooms and the latest audio-visual technology. We can tailor each space to your own specific requirements, whether that’s a meeting for ten or a conference for 200.

Our experienced team will be on hand at every stage of the event, from initial planning to the day itself, offering timely help and advice to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Download the COSLA Conference Centre brochure (PDF)]

Book your event