PROGRAMMES: INSPIRE & IMAGINE

Educating and empowering the next generation of urban shapers

Young people inherit and are shaped by the spaces and their neighbourhoods but have little say in shaping them. We highlight opportunities for them to learn about the built environment, and how to help shape it.

At TET we have two schemes: the Inspire Programme (IFGA) and the ImagineProgramme

Both are designed to:

  • Share knowledge and resources, encouraging joined-up thinking

  • Promote the value of youth-led design in the built environment

  • Embed youth-influenced design in architecture and urban design practice

  • Inspire young people to become place-shapers

  • Influence public policy

Let’s explore the two programmes together

  • One of the key programme run by TET is the Inspire Future Generations that celebrates the outstanding work of individuals, organisations, and initiatives that meaningfully engage children and young people in shaping the built environment.

    Now in its sixth year, IFG bring together a dynamic and growing community of professionals committed to participation, inclusion, mentoring and youth empowerment across architecture, planning, and design.

    This programme recognises and amplifies projects that put young people at the heart of city-making: whether through education, co-design, skills development, or creative collaboration.

    How is the Inspire Programme structured?

    • Dialogue: The TET Dialogues bring together experts to share their expertise and knowledge in a series of relevant themes

    • Awards: The Inspire Future Generation Awards celebratie excellence by architects, policymakers, and media 

    • Winners VoxPop: Interviews of each winner outlining their project and lessons learnt

    • Resource Bank: Online database of successful projects forming a unique ‘library’ from which to create new projects.

    • Community of Practice Network: Platform for this community of practitioners to share knowledge and experience. 

    The next IFGAwards Announcement will be held on 8th December.

    Have a look at all previous Awards winners/commendations and participants:

    2025 / 2024 / 2023 / 2022 / 2021

    Want to get involved? Email inspireawards@thorntoneducationtrust.org

  • The built environment - architecture, urban design, sustainability, development and planning shapes our everyday lives, but it’s not something we often teach in schools. However, learning about the built environment can make lessons more engaging and relevant for pupils.

    Exploring the built environment can supportteaching in subjects like maths, science, history, geography, art and design & technology. It also helps children connect with the world around them through creativity, critical thinking, and exploration. By understanding how the world is built and managed, we can unlock new opportunities for learning.

    The Imagine Programme celebrates teachers and built environment professionals who bring themes of architecture into their classrooms.

    The programme will celebrate teachers and built environment professionals who use the theme of architecture and the built environment within classroom teaching or collaboration. It is the first of its kind and will recognise, promote and encourage school-led learning programmes and collaborations that explore architecture and the built environment.

    See here for further details

    The pilot Architecture into Education Awards 2023 winners, supported by Twelve Healers Trust, can be viewed here 2023‍

    Want to get involved? Email imagineawards@thorntoneducationtrust.org

Festival of the Future

When: Friday and Saturday, 9th and 10th October 2026

Where: Royal College of Art (RCA) Battersea Campus

Better Ways to Engage Young People — Thornton Education Trust   Sat 10 Oct

We're taking part in Beyond the Box's Festival of the Future 2026 — a free celebration opening up architecture and the built environment to the next generation, at the Royal College of Art, Battersea. We'll share Better Ways to Engage Young People — practical thinking for educators, practices and organisations on meaningful engagement with the next generation. Free to attend. Full programme and booking: beyondtheboxcic.com/festival-of-the-future-2026.

@royalcollegeofart · @dezeen · @Beyondtheb_x (LinkedIn: Beyond the Box CIC)

#FestivaloftheFuture2026 #Education #YouthEngagement