The Chartered Institute of Housing Scotland (CIH), in partnership with the Scottish Government's Scottish Centre for Regeneration, has opened the entry process for the CIH Scotland Excellence in Regeneration Award.

The award recognises the vital role that high quality regeneration projects can play in transforming areas by building successful communities.

The award launched today (Wednesday 30 September) at a joint CIH and Scottish Government event in Edinburgh, identifies four key criteria for delivering regeneration that creates sustainable communities:

• Improved quality and mix of homes
• A sense of place
• Local socio-economic regeneration
• Partnership working

Speaking at the event, Excellence in Regeneration: Are you in the zone?, Alex Neil MSP, Minister for Housing and Communities said: "I am pleased to offer Scottish Government support to this award. The housing sector has a key part to play in achieving lasting transformation for places across Scotland, benefiting those who live and work there.


"The award offers the housing sector an excellent opportunity to identify, profile and share good practice and I would encourage all those involved in delivering successful regeneration to share their experiences and learn from others."

Craig Stirrat, Chair, CIH Scotland added: "Scotland is home to some fantastic examples of successful regeneration projects. I urge all housing organisations, community groups and others involved in regeneration to take this opportunity to tell us about the good work they are doing and celebrate the success they are having in transforming communities.

"The Excellence in Regeneration Award recognises that physical improvements go hand in hand with social and economic developments. The CIH Action Plan on Community Regeneration issued earlier this year illustrates this by identifying good practice and setting some policy and practice challenges for the future."

The closing date for entries to the award is Monday 16 November 2009. More details on the award and how to apply are at www.cih.org/scotland/building-successful-communities

(GK/KMcA)