Open to built environment professionals across the private/public sector and cultural practitioners.

The Inspire Future Generations (IFG) Awards for 2024, now in their 4th year, continue to recognise and celebrate outstanding initiatives, organisations, and individuals who are bridging the gap between the built environment and young people.

Each year the winning award entries will be added to the TET Resource Bank, sharing knowledge and examples.

" Youth Inclusion in the built environment is an underappreciated strand of work, but one that merges so many disciplines and perspectives - reflected in the range of IFG awards! " Simeon Shtebunaev, RTPI Young Planner of the Year 2022 and RIBAJ Rising Star 2021

Award Categories sponsorship available - please contact us for full details. We are grateful to Built Environment Trust for their support in providing the awards venue for the 4th year running.

Deadline - 15th November, 2024

Submissions - Forms for each category are clearly listed in the FAQ which also provides useful information on how to enter and guidelines for judging.

#ifgawards #ifgawards2024

Past award winners - 2023 /2022 / 2021

See also Empowering Environments Research - invaluable resource that sheds light on the innovative practices and inspiring achievements of organisations and individuals empowering the younger generation in shaping their built environment

This year’s categories….

Project by Build Up

Social Value projects

Initiatives for children/young people created as part of a Social Value commitment by built environment practices/development companies and local authorities.

Sponsored by Built Environment Trust

Community engagement

Childen and young people programmes within their own communities which could include co-design or built projects, developing their design skills and expertise, or programmes exploring regeneration and public space.

Mentoring Future Generations

Mentoring can take many forms - from coaching placements and early stage apprenticeships, and career experience for teenagers considering entering the built environment profession - particularly from a disadvantaged background.

Health and Place - NEW

Health and placemaking are now being recognised as an important part of creating a holistic environment which takes account of all sectors of society. This category encourages the activities for children and young people to provide inspiration and understanding.

Climate Change - NEW

Climate change and extreme temperatures are among the most pressing challenges of our time and activities and programmes addressing this for children and young people plays a crucial role in tackling these issues.

Youth centred initiatives

A masterplan for Swaffham by Urban Symbiotics - Winner 2022

One off activity - youth

Activities or events for young people that explore architecture as a creative learning tool in an informal setting or not part of the school curriculum. This can be a one-off activity or produced or an annual basis.

Long term programme - Youth

Activities or programmes developed by organisations, practices or individuals to benefit young people over a period of time, such as a series of workshops.

Children centred initiatives

Kan Ya Makan Programme. Co-creating children’s environments through narratives. Catalytic Action - 2023 Winner

One off activity - children

Activities or events for younger children that explore architecture as a creative learning tool in an informal setting or not part of the school curriculum. This can be a one-off activity or produced on an annual basis.

Long term programme - children

Activities or programmes developed longer term, such as a series of workshops or a long-term project for children with specific goals.

FE/HE / Research/Resources/ IT categories

FE/HE programmes

Programmes within a further education or higher education setting that seek to develop built environment students’ skills in engaging young people and communities.

Research - pedagogy or practice based

There is little research in engaging children and young people in architecture and the built environment. This category is for those writing articles, studies or academic research to provide a future useful research.

Online / IT projects and materials/resources

IT projects /online resources / game-based learning, that could also be replicated or adapted by others now or into the future.

Best of…

Greater Cambridge Planning Service - 2023 Local Authority Winner

Development Companies - NEW

Recognising a built environment real estate that has developed an outstanding set of ongoing activities or programmes for children/young people.

Built Environment Practices

Recognising a built environment practice or company that has developed an outstanding set of ongoing activities or programmes for children/young people, delivered by their team. 

Local Authorities

Recognising a local authority that has developed one or more outstanding built-environment related programmes for children/young people.

International organisations

Recognising an outstanding organisation outside the UK whose primary aim is to produce built environment programmes for children/young people.

Not-for-profit organisations

Recognising an outstanding not for profit organisation in the UK whose primary aim is to produce built environment programmes for children/young people.

Individual of the Year - emerging / established

Recognising the work undertaken by an individual practitioner, whether they work independently or as part of a team; someone who has made an outstanding contribution to our theme ‘Inspiring Future Generations’. There are two Individual of the Year awards, one for an emerging practitioner, and one for an established practitioner.

Fiona Macdonald, Matt+Fiona -Winner 'Best Organisation - Emerging' 2021

The TET Awards are unique in their recognition of initiatives and programmes that aim to address some of the most pressing issues in the built environment industries right now: Namely increasing diversity and creating tangible ways for young people to genuinely have their say.”

Watch highlights from the 2021 IFG Awards held at the Architectural Association School of Architecture

Inspire Future Generations Awards 2022 highlights at the Building Centre