Mel Young is honoured with The Edinburgh Award

Social entrepreneur, Mel Young, MBE, has become the 18th recipient of the Edinburgh Award 2024 at a civic reception at the City Chambers.

He was chosen for the award after the public cast their votes for a shortlist of nominations, and he received the engraved Loving Cup and a certificate from the Rt Hon Lord Provost, Robert Aldridge.

Mr Young is President of the Homeless World Cup which he co-founded in 2003. A movie called “The Beautiful Game” which is based on the Homeless World Cup was released this year and has been a global movie hit. Mel also co-founded the Big Issue in Scotland in 1993 and was Chair of Sportscotland, the national agency for sport, between 2016 and 2024.

He said: “I would just like to say that I am very honoured to receive this award, but with your permission I would like to share it with the fabulous people who have made these initiatives possible. It is impossible for one person to create on their own. It’s about teamwork, commitment and hard work.

“If I use the Homeless World Cup as an example, we have a small dedicated team here in Edinburgh, a host of international volunteers who fly into our annual events from all over the world, street soccer partners in 70 countries who in turn have many more committed people. Together we create an event which impacts the lives of 100,000 people a year, and impacted 1.3 million people since we started. It’s the power of hundreds of people doing small things, which creates something much bigger.

“Without their hard work, I wouldn’t be standing here, and that’s why I want to share this award with them. I believe firmly that if we all do something, no matter how small, and if we all do that together, then we can end homelessness.”

The Lord Provost said: “Edinburgh has always punched well above its weight in the world, and we have a diversity of skills that have helped us to excel in business, world, education, music, the arts, sport and the sciences. And it’s the people of Edinburgh who make the capital such an inspirational place to live, work and visit and to help to make the city so influential on the world stage.

“This year’s recipient is undoubtedly one such individual whose work has helped gain national and international recognition for Edinburgh. This evening, we honour Mel Young, who receives the 18th Edinburgh Award in honour of his outstanding dedication to combating homelessness in Edinburgh and beyond, and his significant contributions to sport and physical activity in our communities.”