Following on from the SURF Award celebratory dinner shortlisted Award projects are invited to take part in a series of Shared Learning workshops in the Spring. The purpose of these events is to allow the projects to share experiences, both positive and negative, with the wider SURF network. This allows for discussion on aspects of learning and also how that fits into wider policy.
Due to the impacts of Coronavirus the events scheduled for May 2020, postponed to July, were unable to go ahead.
Projects and national partners have provided slides, either with notes in the note section or an additional script, detailing background to the project, challenges and key successes. National partners have provided information on their current and future focus.
Contact details are provided to allow for questions to be sent directly to the project, should you have any.
2019 SURF Awards Shared Learning Workshops
SURF Award Shared Learning Event Summary Report
A summary report of the learning outcomes from all four Shared Learning Workshops
2019 SURF Award Shared Learning Report
Achieving wider community regeneration outcomes through housing led approaches
This workshop brought two of the shortlisted projects from the Housing and Regeneration category together; with additional input from the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) and Urban Union.
Unfortunately, Wheatley Group withdrew from providing materials at this time but a short summary of the project will be included in the Shared Learning Report.
Achieving wider community regeneration outcomes through housing led approaches Workshop Programme
Presentations
Glenurquhart Care Project
Fraser Avenue (Kingdom HA)
SFHA
Urban Union
Transferable lessons for place-based regeneration
This workshop brought both winners from the Community Led and Scotland’s Most Improved Place categories; with additional input from the Scottish Government, Scotland’s Towns Partnership and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
Transferable lessons for place-based regeneration Workshop Programme
Presentations
Ochiltree Community Hub
Calton Barras
Scottish Government – Place Team
Scotland’s Towns Partnership
Highlands and Islands Enterprise
Successful methods of supporting young people to overcome barriers to employment
This workshop brought all three projects shortlisted in the Youth Employability category together; with additional input from Skills Development Scotland and the Scottish Government.
Successful methods of supporting young people to overcome barriers to employment Workshop Programme
Presentations
Achieving the Right Transferable Skills for Todays Job Market!
Community Renewal Trust’s Employment Safety Net
Young Enterprise Scotland: Pathways Programme
Skills Development Scotland
Scottish Government – Employability Team
Notes to be added
How can embedding artistic approaches enable communities to become agents for change?
This workshop brought all three projects shortlisted in the Creative Regeneration category together; with additional input from Creative Scotland. Unfortunately, the Scottish Government Culture Team withdrew from providing content for the event.
Successful methods of supporting young people to overcome barriers to employment Workshop Programme
Presentations
WHALE Arts
The Glasgow Barons
Inverness Creative Academy
Creative Scotland
Presentation to be added
Video – About Creative Scotland and intro to funding
2020 SURF Awards
The 2020 SURF Awards are open for applications until 5pm on Monday 7th September.
Further information on categories, criteria and how to apply can be found at: https://www.surf.scot/surf-awards/
Previous Years
2018 SURF Awards Shared Learning Workshops
SURF Award Shared Learning Summary Report
A combined summary report of the main points and discussions from all three Shared Learning Workshops.
Best practice approaches to place-based regeneration – 2nd May
This workshop brought all three winners from the Community Led, Housing and Scotland’s Most Improved Place categories; with additional input from the Scottish Government, Scotland’s Towns Partnership and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
Best practice approaches to place-based regeneration Workshop Programme
Presentations
Place Principle – Scottish Government
Highlands and Islands Enterprise
Overcoming barriers to employability facing Scotland’s young people – 15th May
This workshop brought all three projects shortlisted in the Youth Employability category together; with additional input from Skills Development Scotland.
Overcoming barriers to employability facing Scotland’s young people Workshop Programme
Presentations
Key points from the presentation by the Pathfinder Programme
Developing the Young Workforce
The importance of culture and creative arts in community regeneration – 30th May
This workshop brought all three projects shortlisted in the Creative Regeneration category together; with additional input from Creative Scotland, Arts and Business Scotland and the Paisley Partnership.
The importance of culture and creative arts in community regeneration Workshop Programme
Presentations
2017 SURF Awards Shared Learning Workshops
SURF Award Shared Learning Summary Report
A combined summary report of the main points and discussions from all three Shared Learning Workshops.
New approaches towards tackling barriers to employability – 3rd May
This workshop brought all three projects shortlisted in the Youth Employability category together along with the winner of the Community Led Award; with additional input from Skills Development Scotland.

Like many of our community projects things aren’t always as they first seem – the reality of regeneration
New approaches towards tackling barriers to employability Workshop Programme
Presentations
Dundee International Women’s Centre Presentation
Creative Pathways Presentation
Skills Development Scotland Presentation
The role of creative arts in regeneration – 17th May
This workshop featured presentations from all three projects shortlisted in the Creative Regeneration category. Additional input came from Creative Scotland and the Cultural Enterprise Office.
The role of creative arts in regeneration Workshop Programme
Presentations
Cateran’s Common Wealth Presentation
Creative Scotland PresentationCultural Enterprise Office Presentation
Successful approaches to regenerating Scotland’s places – 31st May
This workshop featured presentations from the Most Improved Place winner Irvine in North Ayrshire and also the Housing winner Ulva Ferry Housing Project in Mull. Additional input came from Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Scottish Government and Scotland’s Towns Partnership.
Successful approaches to regenerating Scotland’s Places Workshop Programme
Presentations
Ulva Ferry Housing Project Presentation
Scottish Government Presentation
2016 SURF Awards Shared Learning Workshops
Workshop Summary Report
A combined summary report of learning from all three workshops.
New approaches towards tackling youth employability challenges – 4th May
This workshop brought all three projects shortlisted in the Youth Employability category together along with input from Skills Development Scotland and the Third Sector Employability Forum.
Youth Employability Workshop Programme

The ‘leaf sheep’, a sea slug capable of generating its own energy via photosyenthisis, was the ‘face’ of the 2016 SURF Awards
Presentations
Third Sector Employability Forum
Reversing economic decline in Scotland’s towns – 18th May
This workshop featured presentations from the Most Improved Town winner Lochgelly in Fife and also the Community Led winner Tomintoul and Glenlivet Regeneration Project. Additional input came from Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Scottish Government and Scotland’s Towns Partnership.
Presentations
Tomintoul and Glenlivet Regeneration
Highlands and Islands Enterprise
Promoting creative arts in community regeneration – 1st June
This workshop featured presentations from all three projects shortlisted in the Creative Regeneration category. Additional input came from Creative Scotland and Paisley 2021.
Presentations
2015 SURF Awards Shared Learning Workshops
Workshop Summary Report
A combined summary report of learning from all three workshops.