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MADE A SPLASH? Now shout about it

SHOWCASE YOUR PROJECT AND EARN A REPUTATION FOR DELIVERING EXCELLENT REGENERATION PROJECTS

The Waterways Renaissance Awards 2009 - now open for entries! (closing date 30th September 2008)

You may be aware that the British Urban Regeneration Association, (BURA) runs several awards, but have you taken a moment to think about the value that could be gained by winning?

In a time when good press can be hard to come by, winning an award could be just what your organisation needs to show it is making a difference and to demonstrate your performance to professionals across the UK. I urge you to consider whether you or your partners are involved in a project or scheme on an inland waterway and if you are visit www.bura.org.uk/awards for details how to enter.

Winning awards is one of the most powerful and cost effective marketing tools. 90% of those responding in a survey amongst last year’s finalists thought that being shortlisted had improved awareness of their organisation. Free and simple to enter, the time you spend submitting an entry could gain you recognition as a thought-leader in regeneration and waterways, boost staff morale and help win future contracts or funding.

There are many reasons you should be considering entering these awards:

• Gain recognition as leaders in waterways regeneration
• Raise your organisation’s reputation and profile across the UK
• Motivate and sustain further improvements and innovation
• Boost employee morale, enhance recruitment and retention
• Impress and influence clients / partners
• Win contracts / funding bids
• Access opportunities to learn from others and receive feedback from our expert panel of judges
• Meet other recognised projects and key regeneration practitioners and celebrate your successes at a prestigious ceremony

The Awards, established by BURA in partnership with The Waterways Trust in 2002, have since recognised over 130 projects, ranging from exciting multi-use developments, sustainable environmental initiatives and educational projects changing the lives of disadvantaged young people, to innovative engineering schemes and the restoration of historic canal structures, basins and buildings.

In the past we have recognised projects on inland rivers, canals, broads, becks - both navigable and non-navigable. We have also recognised projects on lakes / lochs, when they are connected to a waterway (e.g. river / canal). Unfortunately coastal projects are not recognised in these awards.

Award categories - Ten award categories ensure that all aspects of the work being undertaken on our waterways receive appropriate consideration and increase your chance of earning a stamp of approval from our expert panel:

• Area Based Regeneration
• Community
• Design & Construction
• Education & Learning
• Historic Environment
• Innovation
• Natural Environment
• Partnership
• Recreation & Tourism
• Strategy & Master planning

How do I enter?

The Awards are free to enter and anyone from the private, public or voluntary sectors can submit an entry.

Visit www.bura.org.uk/awards to:

• find out more information about the assessment process, categories and criteria
• read more about projects recognised in previous years
• download the guidance notes for entrants and the entry form
• submit your entry online

You have until 30 September 2008 to submit your entries online.

Can you help us to spread the word?

To identify and celebrate the best of waterways renaissance and regeneration across the UK we need people to be aware of the awards and to enter projects and schemes. Can you help us to publicise the awards both within your organisation and externally? This might include for example:

• Emailing the awards information to your colleagues, clients and networks (forward this email content or refer them to www.bura.org.uk/awards)
• Making reference to the awards within your newsletter or website
• Including the awards as an agenda item at your team meeting
• Requesting hard-copy leaflets to place on your reception or to distribute at relevant forthcoming events

To find out more or to request copies of the call for entries leaflet contact eva@bura.org.uk or 020 7539 4030.

Supporting organisations:

Arup
Crosby Lend Lease
Defra
Halcrow
Mersey Basin Campaign
Morrison Construction Ltd
Peel Holdings

Entries must be received by 30 September 2008

Should you require any further information please do get in touch with the BURA Awards Team on 020 7539 4030 or by emailing: awards@bura.org.uk / eva@bura.org.uk. Otherwise please note the closing date in your diary and we look forward to receiving your entries.

Hopefully next year we’ll be promoting your project as one of the best in class to regeneration and waterways professionals across the UK. This will begin at the awards ceremony and continue beyond with articles in the press, your project’s case study in 3,000 brochures plus adverts and inserts reaching all readers of Regeneration & Renewal (circulation 18,049 ABC).

Kate Beeching
Best Practice Manager

www.bura.org.uk

Level 4, 63-66 Hatton Garden
London
EC1N 8LE
Tel: +44 207 539 4030
Fax: + 44 207 404 9614

Engage, Connect, Influence - The one stop shop for Regeneration is open for business – Bookmark www.bura.org.uk today

The Waterways Renaissance Awards 2009 - open for nominations Friday 25th July until 30th September 2008 - If you think that your waterways scheme has made a difference enter now; raise your profile and showcase your team’s achievements to the rest of the UK. The awards recognise a wide range of projects across ten categories. Visit www.bura.org.uk/awards to learn more about the benefits of entering and to download a nomination form and guidance notes.

The British Urban Regeneration Association, (BURA), facilitates the rapid exchange of ideas, experience and solutions within regeneration. BURA is acknowledged as the leading independent organisation championing regeneration. Non-core funded, its unique strength derives from its wide range of members in the private, public and community sectors; this distinguishes it from any other sector interest group.

We offer members national and regional networks, dynamic training, seminars and conferences plus debates and forums covering key issues of the regeneration agenda. Through our award schemes, we identify and celebrate best practice in regeneration, promoting the lessons learnt from our winners which range from large-scale schemes to small, community-based Projects.