2021 SURF Awards Formally Open for Applications
The prestigious national 2021 SURF Awards for Best Practice in Community Regeneration were launched on Thursday (03/06/21) by the Scottish Government at an online event, in partnership with the Glasgow Canal Co-op and the ‘Year of Coasts and Waters’.
The SURF Awards are delivered each year by SURF, a regeneration forum with over 300 cross-sector member organisations across Scotland, in partnership with the Scottish Government. The purpose is to highlight, celebrate and share the achievements of initiatives that address physical, social and economic challenges in communities across Scotland.
This year’s five thematic categories include;
- Supporting Youth Employability sponsored by Skills Development Scotland
- Creative Regeneration sponsored by Creative Scotland
- Community Led Regeneration sponsored by Highlands and Island Enterprise
- Scotland’s Most Improved Place sponsored by Scotland’s Towns Partnership and Architecture & Design Scotland
- Housing and Regeneration
The winners of the 2021 Awards will be announced by a leading Scottish Government Minister at a celebratory dinner event on the 9th December.
Applications are now open and full details of how to apply and deadlines for applications is available on the SURF awards website.
Kate Wimpress, SURF Chair says;
“In these changing and challenging times it is critical to be able to celebrate and reflect on success together. I am very pleased that despite everything the SURF team, and the many communities with which we work across Scotland, have been dealing with in the last 16 months we have been able to continue the Awards and keep the spotlight on the incredible work happening across Scotland.”
SURF’s Chief Executive, Euan Leitch, says;
“Communities were at the heart of the response to the iniquities experienced in 2020 and we know that community collaboration must be central to working our way out of the consequences of the pandemic. The SURF Awards 2021 are an opportunity to celebrate and learn from the excellent work that continues across Scotland and I can’t wait to see the submissions”
Phil Prentice, Chief Executive Officer, Scotland’s Towns Partnership, says;
“Scotland’s Towns Partnership is proud to be working alongside SURF as sponsor of Scotland’s Most Improved Place Award 2021. Scotland’s holistic policy approach, based upon the Place Principle and Place Standard is seen as international best practice, underpinned by the ask of all relevant stakeholders across the public-private-social and community sectors to play a contributory role in a collective effort. As we emerge from Covid I expect to see some really innovative place based submissions, focused on climate, localism and community, which hopefully can provide inspiration nationally.”
This is a fantastic opportunity for Midlothian businesses to showcase the impact they have on their local communities and the changes they’ve driven to support and improve their local area.
For further information on the SURF Awards and to download application materials please visit the SURF website or contact Emma Scott on emma@surf.scot
If you’re wondering how your Midlothian business can further support the local community get in touch with Business Gateway Midlothian to discuss ideas with our dedicated Business Advisers.
