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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Property and development sector recognised in Inspire Future Generations Awards 2026 finalists
Leading property developers, architects, planning organisations and local authorities are among those shortlisted for the 2026 Inspire Future Generations Awards, celebrating projects that give children and young people a meaningful chance of shaping their future built environment.
The finalists for TET’s 2026 Inspire Future Generations Awards (IFG Awards), have been announced, recognising organisations and projects across the UK, Ireland and internationally that are helping to shape a better built environment with future generations.
This year's awards attracted over 100 entries, with 68 finalists progressing following the selection process. The breadth of organisations represented demonstrates the growing recognition across the built environment sector that children and young people should have a meaningful voice and influence in decisions about the places where they live, learn and spend their time.
Among the organisations represented in this year's finalists are established architectural practices including AHMM, Gensler, Heatherwick Studio, Hawkins\Brown, Grimshaw Foundation and Scott Brownrigg; property and development organisations including Urban&Civic, Taylor Woodrow, Arcadis and Elevate/London Legacy Development Corporation; and public-sector organisations including Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service, Sheffield City Council, London Borough of Waltham Forest , Sheffield City Council and West of England Combined Authority.
The awards recognise work across a range of areas, from regeneration, climate change and community engagement to skills development, social value, place-making and embedding meaningful engagement into organisational practice.
Importantly, the awards look beyond whether children and young people have been consulted or involved. They seek evidence of how their ideas, perspectives and contributions have influenced decisions, shaped outcomes and changed the way places are designed, developed and managed.
This is particularly significant for the property and development sector, where decisions made today will have a lasting impact on the lives of future generations.
Victoria Thornton, Director of Thornton Education Trust, said:
"The quality and breadth of this year's finalists demonstrate that there is growing ambition across the built environment to work differently with children and young people. We want to recognise organisations that are moving beyond consultation and creating genuine opportunities for young people to influence the places and communities they will inherit. This is not simply about engagement; it is about better decision-making and better outcomes."
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 – communications@thorntoneducationtrust.org
