The outcomes of the prestigious 2018 ‘20th Anniversary’ SURF Awards for Best Practice in Community Regeneration were announced last night at a celebratory presentation event in Glasgow’s Grand Central Hotel.

Representatives of the five category winning initiatives for 2018 were personally congratulated on their inspiring work by the Scottish Government’s cabinet secretary for local government and communities, Aileen Campbell MSP.

The SURF Awards are delivered each year by SURF, a regeneration forum with over 280 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.

2018 celebrated the 20th SURF Awards and throughout the year SURF connected with previous winners to share their memories of the process. This culminated at the annual Awards Dinner with the screening of a specially commissioned film ‘Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the SURF Awards’.

SURF’s panel of 20 independent judges are drawn from national regeneration bodies and community groups. They carefully assessed all of the varied SURF Awards nominations in five thematic categories, visiting 15 different shortlisted initiatives from Dumfries and Galloway to Orkney Islands, before selecting the following category winners:

The five winning projects all demonstrate the value of a long-term approach to regeneration, with dedicated partners working strategically and inclusively to develop comprehensive plans and deliver real and sustainable benefits for all.

In congratulating the winners, SURF chair Kate Wimpress said: “The independent panel of judges have once again been impressed by the commitment, creativity and care for both project and people, in all shortlisted initiatives. SURF looks forward to sharing these stories of what works, across Scotland and beyond.”

Aileen Campbell MSP added: “I am delighted to be involved with the annual SURF Awards for the first time, as it celebrates its 20th anniversary. The shortlisted applications are an inspiration and testament to what is possible when communities are empowered and proactive in shaping their own futures. The SURF Awards remain an outstanding platform for identifying and showcasing successful community regeneration across Scotland.”