Deadline: 07-Sep-2026
The 2026 SURF Awards celebrate outstanding community regeneration projects across Scotland that improve wellbeing, strengthen local communities, and promote sustainable development. Organised by SURF in partnership with the Scottish Government, the awards recognize innovative projects in place-based regeneration, housing, creativity, employability, and community-led development while encouraging the sharing of best practices across the country.
Grant Overview
The 2026 SURF Awards are designed to identify, celebrate, and promote excellence in community regeneration across Scotland. The awards showcase projects that have delivered meaningful improvements in local communities and demonstrate effective approaches that can be replicated elsewhere.
Delivered by SURF in partnership with the Scottish Government, the awards provide a platform for organizations, partnerships, and communities to share successful regeneration initiatives that contribute to stronger, healthier, more inclusive, and sustainable places.
The program supports knowledge exchange and learning by highlighting projects that have achieved measurable social, economic, cultural, and environmental benefits.
Award Information
- Award Program: 2026 SURF Awards
- Geographic Focus: Scotland
- Organisers: SURF and the Scottish Government
- Purpose: Recognition and promotion of best practice in community regeneration
- Award Focus: Community impact, regeneration excellence, innovation, and knowledge sharing
- Eligible Projects: Community regeneration initiatives operating in Scotland
Focus Areas
The awards recognize projects that contribute to:
- Community regeneration
- Community wellbeing
- Sustainable development
- Social inclusion
- Community participation
- Partnership working
- Housing-led regeneration
- Creative placemaking
- Employability and skills development
- Local leadership
- Community empowerment
- Knowledge sharing and learning
- Economic resilience
- Place-based development
- Long-term community sustainability
Award Categories
Improving Scotland’s Places
This category recognizes projects that improve towns, villages, neighbourhoods, and high streets through collaborative planning and regeneration activities.
Key areas include:
- Participative planning
- Place-based regeneration
- Physical improvements
- Community engagement
- Local economic development
- Pride of place
- Community wellbeing
- Resilient local economies
Housing and Regeneration
This category highlights housing initiatives that create lasting social, economic, and environmental benefits.
Projects may demonstrate:
- Collaborative housing development
- Sustainable regeneration
- Community engagement
- Long-term neighbourhood improvement
- Affordable housing solutions
- Housing-led community transformation
Creative Regeneration
This category celebrates the role of arts, culture, and creativity in transforming communities.
Projects may focus on:
- Arts-based regeneration
- Cultural engagement
- Community creativity
- Creative placemaking
- Public participation
- Cultural sustainability
- Community identity and pride
Removing Barriers to Employability
This category recognizes initiatives that help individuals access employment, education, and training opportunities.
Projects may demonstrate:
- Skills development
- Employment support
- Workforce inclusion
- Training pathways
- Partnership-based delivery
- Support for disadvantaged groups
- Tailored employability services
Community Led Regeneration
This category recognizes regeneration projects that are driven and led by local communities.
Key themes include:
- Community leadership
- Community ownership
- Participation and empowerment
- Local decision-making
- Collaborative action
- Sustainable outcomes
- Long-term community impact
Who Can Apply?
The awards are intended for regeneration projects and initiatives operating within Scotland.
Eligible applicants may include:
- Community organizations
- Charities and non-profit organizations
- Community development trusts
- Housing associations
- Social enterprises
- Local partnerships
- Public sector organizations
- Community-led groups
- Cultural organizations
- Regeneration partnerships
Projects should demonstrate clear regeneration outcomes and measurable benefits for local communities.
What Makes a Strong Submission?
Successful projects typically demonstrate:
- Clear evidence of community impact
- Strong community participation
- Effective partnership working
- Innovative approaches to regeneration
- Sustainable outcomes
- Inclusion and accessibility
- Measurable improvements in wellbeing
- Long-term benefits for communities
Projects should clearly show how their activities have improved local places, opportunities, and quality of life.
Why These Awards Matter
Community regeneration plays a critical role in addressing social, economic, and environmental challenges. Effective regeneration can improve wellbeing, create opportunities, strengthen local economies, and empower residents to shape their own futures.
The SURF Awards help:
- Highlight successful regeneration models
- Share practical lessons across Scotland
- Encourage innovation in community development
- Strengthen collaboration between sectors
- Promote community-led solutions
- Influence future policy and practice
- Celebrate local achievements
By showcasing successful projects, the awards contribute to wider learning and inspire other communities to adopt effective regeneration approaches.
How to Apply
- Identify the most appropriate award category for your project.
- Review the category criteria and eligibility requirements.
- Gather evidence demonstrating project outcomes and community impact.
- Prepare information on partnerships, participation, and sustainability.
- Highlight innovation and lessons learned.
- Complete the award application form.
- Submit the application before the stated deadline.
- Participate in any further assessment or judging processes if shortlisted.
Application Tips
- Clearly demonstrate measurable outcomes.
- Provide evidence of community benefits.
- Highlight community participation and leadership.
- Include examples of partnership working.
- Explain how the project will create lasting impact.
- Use data and case studies where available.
- Demonstrate innovation and creativity.
- Show how lessons can be shared with other communities.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Providing limited evidence of impact.
- Focusing only on activities rather than outcomes.
- Failing to demonstrate community involvement.
- Submitting incomplete supporting information.
- Not aligning the project with the selected category.
- Overlooking sustainability and long-term benefits.
- Providing unclear descriptions of project achievements.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the SURF Awards?
The SURF Awards are an annual program that recognizes and promotes best practice in community regeneration across Scotland.
Who organizes the awards?
The awards are organized and delivered by SURF in partnership with the Scottish Government.
What types of projects are eligible?
Projects that contribute to community regeneration, wellbeing, inclusion, housing, employability, creativity, and community-led development within Scotland may be eligible.
How many award categories are available?
There are five categories: Improving Scotland’s Places, Housing and Regeneration, Creative Regeneration, Removing Barriers to Employability, and Community Led Regeneration.
What do judges look for?
Judges typically assess community impact, participation, collaboration, sustainability, innovation, and long-term benefits.
Are community-led projects eligible?
Yes. Community-led initiatives are specifically recognized through the Community Led Regeneration category.
Why should organizations apply?
The awards provide recognition, visibility, networking opportunities, knowledge sharing, and the chance to showcase successful regeneration approaches across Scotland.
Conclusion
The 2026 SURF Awards provide an important platform for recognizing exceptional community regeneration initiatives across Scotland. By celebrating projects that improve wellbeing, strengthen communities, enhance opportunities, and promote sustainable development, the awards help share effective practices and inspire future regeneration efforts. Organizations delivering meaningful and lasting community impact are encouraged to showcase their achievements through this prestigious national program.
For more information, visit SURF.
