Inspire Future Generations Awards 2026
2026 Entries opening 2nd June (preview categories here)
#ifgawards2026
Across the UK and beyond, design and development processes are involving children and young people in shaping places.
If you shape places and involve young people in decisions — these awards are for you.
Projects where children and young people contribute to shaping places — from early engagement through to involvement in live decisions.
Start your entry→ Choose a category
Not sure where your project fits? → Use our quick guide below.
What we recognise
We recognise projects where children and young people contribute to shaping the built environment.
This includes work at different stages — from early engagement to direct involvement in live decisions. What matters is what changes as a result.
We are particularly interested in:
how young people contribute to decisions
what difference that involvement makes
how this shapes design, use or long-term outcomes
This might include:
shaping design ideas or proposals
identifying priorities that shape a project
contributing to how a space is used or experienced
informing how work is carried out over time
Emerging practice
Not all impactful work results in immediate change. We also recognise emerging practice where there is:
a strong and thoughtful approach
clear intent and direction
credible potential to shape future decisions
Who can apply
Submissions are welcome from those shaping the built environment, including:
architects, urban designers, landscape architects, engineers,, developers and local authorities
organisations and not-for-profits
clients, commissioners and multidisciplinary teams
Projects may vary in scale, context and stage — from early exploration to established practice.
PROJECT CATEGORY SECTION
Recognising how projects enable children and young people to shape place.
Climate Change
Shaping identity and meaning in place todayCulture
Shaping identity and meaning in place todayRegeneration
Shaping the design and development of placesStrategic Vision
Shaping policy and long-term approaches to placeCommunity
Skills development
Building skills and capacity to shape placeBuilding skills and agency to shape placeDevelopment Company / Estate
Recognising how development processes enable young people to shape outcomes
Awarded to a developer that demonstrates a meaningful commitment to enabling children and young people to contribute to development projects through engagement that informs design, delivery or long-term use.
Judges look for:
Openness within development processes
Evidence of input informing outcomes
Commitment beyond a single project
Meaningful engagement linked to delivery or use
Strengthening connection and participation in place Healthy Spaces
Improving everyday experience of placeHeritage
Connecting past and future through placeResearch & Materials
Creating tools and knowledge that shape practiceLocal Authority / Public Agency
Recognising how policy, planning and delivery enable young people to shape place
Awarded to a public body that demonstrates a strong commitment to enabling children and young people to help shape decisions through planning, policy or project delivery across its work.
Judges look for:
Participation embedded within planning or policy
Evidence of organisational commitment
Young people shaping approaches or decisions
Lasting impact on processes or delivery
University school/Department built environment design/planning
Recognising how teaching, research or outreach enables young people to shape place
Awarded to an academic organisation that demonstrates a strong commitment to enabling students and young people to shape thinking, practice or future approaches to the built environment through teaching, research or outreach activity.
Judges look for:
Participatory approaches embedded within teaching or research
Meaningful connections between academia and public life
Student engagement with children, young people or communities
Contribution to future practice or approaches
Recognising practice that embeds children and young people in shaping design and decision-making
Awarded to a practice that demonstrates a strong and ongoing commitment to enabling children and young people to shape how places are designed, developed or delivered through participatory approaches embedded within practice.
Judges look for:
Participation embedded within practice
Evidence of young people shaping outcomes
Commitment across projects or over time
Meaningful integration into design or delivery processes
BEST OF SECTION
These awards recognise wider organisational commitment and body of work beyond the submitted project.
Built Environment Practice
Not for Profit
Recognising approaches that enable participation to shape real outcomes
Awarded to an organisation that demonstrates a strong commitment to enabling children and young people to contribute to decisions, practice or place through its work.
Judges look for:
Meaningful participation approaches
Evidence of contribution to outcomes or decisions
Support for communities or wider practice
Ongoing commitment through organisational work