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Inspire Future Generations Awards 2026 finalists celebrate a new approach to community engagement and regeneration

Projects and organisations across the UK and Ireland are recognised for giving children and young people a meaningful influence in shaping their communities, neighbourhoods and places.

The finalists for TET's 2026 Inspire Future Generations Awards (IFG Awards) have been announced have been announced, celebrating projects that demonstrate the value of involving children and young people in shaping the places and communities in which they live.

This year's awards attracted over 100 entries, with 68 finalists progressing following the selection process. The range of projects highlights the growing recognition that children and young people have an important contribution to make to the future of their communities, from local neighbourhood improvements and public spaces to major regeneration programmes and long-term visions for places.

The finalists represent a diverse range of organisations, including local authorities, development companies, architectural practices, community organisations, universities and not for profits. Together, they demonstrate different ways of bringing younger generations into conversations about the places they inhabit and the decisions that affect their everyday lives.

The awards recognise work across a range of areas, including Community, Regeneration, Social Value, Place-making, Healthy Spaces and Strategic Vision.

A distinguishing feature of the IFG Awards is their emphasis on influence rather than participation alone. They recognise projects where children and young people have been able to contribute ideas, challenge assumptions and influence decisions and outcomes, rather than simply being consulted about proposals that have already been developed.

This is particularly important in regeneration and community development, where decisions about housing, public spaces, facilities, transport and local services can have a lasting impact on successive generations.

Victoria Thornton, Director of Thornton Education Trust, said:

“Regeneration is ultimately about people and the communities in which they live. Yet children and young people are often overlooked in decisions about the future of their neighbourhoods. The projects recognised through the IFG Awards demonstrate that when younger generations are given meaningful opportunities to influence decisions, they can bring valuable perspectives, challenge established thinking and help create places that work better for everyone.”

The 2026 finalists demonstrate that meaningful engagement with children and young people is not confined to individual projects or one-off activities. It can become an integral part of how organisations approach community development, regeneration and the long-term stewardship of places.

The finalists will come together for the Inspire Future Generations Awards celebration and networking event on 8 December 2026 at the Crypt on the Green, Clerkenwell, London.

The full list of finalists can be viewed at:
https://www.thorntoneducationtrust.org/ifga26-finalists

ENDS

Notes to editors

Thornton Education Trust (TET) is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to creating a stepchange in how children and young people engage with and influence the built environment. TET works across education and industry to champion meaningful engagement, participatory design and the involvement of younger generations in shaping the places and communities of the future.

Through its programmes, awards, research and publications, TET builds knowledge, shares evidence, promotes best practice and encourages schools, universities, architectural practices, local authorities and development organisations to embed meaningful engagement with children and young people into their work.

The Inspire Future Generations Awards celebrate excellence in engaging children and young people in shaping the built environment. They recognise projects, organisations and emerging approaches that demonstrate how young people can influence the decisions, processes and outcomes that shape their places and communities.

Website: https://www.thorntoneducationtrust.org

Awards information: https://www.thorntoneducationtrust.org/ifga26-finalists

Media contact: Thornton Education Trust – [insert contact email]