Inspire Future Generations
Inspire Future Generations
Inspire Programme:
Embedding meaningful engagement into built environment practice
A programme for built environment professionals to support developing and applying approaches to engage and participate children and young people in real projects, practice and communities. This is not an add-on—it is becoming increasingly important as how the built environment profession needs to act. This includes working with young people through projects, consultations and community engagement.
The programme is part of the Thornton Education Trust’s wider mission to place young voices at the heart of design and placemaking
→ Explore how Inspire could support your practice
Why this matters for practice?
Engaging children and young people is increasingly central to:
delivering social value
inclusive and participatory design
meeting client and community expectations
Yet many professionals lack the tools, confidence and frameworks to do this well.
→ The Inspire Programme addresses this gap.
How Inspire supports your work
Through the programme, you can:
Learn from leading projects through awards and case studies
Access tested methods for engaging young people
Connect with a community of practitioners
Apply these approaches within your own projects and practice
How the programme works
TET Dialogues & Presentations: Bring together practitioners, educators and policymakers to share approaches, challenges and insights on engaging young people in the built environment. Through case studies, discussions and Q&A, participants explore how participation can be meaningful, inclusive and embedded in practice.
Many professionals first engage through Dialogues. The Inspire Programme provides the next step—supporting the shift from discussion to delivery.
Inspire Future Generations Awards: Awards & Resource Bank
The Inspire Programme highlights leading examples of engagement with children and young people across the built environment. You can explore case studies, approaches and lessons—supporting you to apply participation meaningfully within your own projects and practice.
“It was a very special moment when AHMM won the Thornton Education Trust Inspiring Future Generations Social Value award. It was the first time that we had entered an award recognising this area of our work and it has been a fantastic way to shine a light on it.” Claire Pollock, Partnerships Lead, AHMM
Inspire Future Generations Awards winners and finalists - 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021 (IFGA26 opening June)
Network for Child‑Centred City‑Making: The Inspire Network connects professionals, educators and organisations that are committed to collaboration and participatory design. Members share good practice, project ideas, and opportunities, helping to build a stronger, more informed community of practice.
Beyond the core programme, Inspire also develops knowledge, research and connections across the sector
Current focus: Sense of Place - A research-led mapping project that shines a light on how children and young people are helping to shape planning, architecture and placemaking across the UK.Interactive Map.
Research and Insights: Annual Survey and Directory of Youth Participatory Design Practitioners: Annnual Empowering Environment Report highlighting trends and who is doing what in this field,
Working with schools - Inspire connects professionals with schools through programmes such as the Imagine Programme. This ensures that engagement with young people is age-appropriate, meaningful and grounded in real learning contexts
Who it’s for?
Built environment practices and studios
Developers and clients delivering social value
Local authorities / local government agencies
Professionals interested in education and engagement
Explore how Inspire could support your work
Whether you are new to this area or looking to deepen your approach:
→ Join the Inspire Programme
→ Partner with us on a project
→ Contribute to the community
