Some of Northern Ireland's best built projects which help transform local lives and the community are set to be celebrated in a new awards programme.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has launched the Social Impact Awards, as they look to celebrate the positive contribution the built environment has on people's lives.

The awards will recognise projects in nine separate categories - Commercial, Education, Healthcare, Heritage, Infrastructure, Land & Rural, Leisure, Residential and Student Accommodation – which will be judged across criteria that not only looks to uncover how the nominated projects have enhanced lives and communities, but also their sustainability.

-- Advertisement --

The programme will also present 'Project of the Year, Northern Ireland' to the scheme which demonstrates inspirational best practice and a significant wider social contribution.

Following the Northern Ireland awards, winners will compete regionally against successful competitors from all 12 UK regions at the RICS Social Impact Awards Grand Final in October 2020.

Susan Mason, Head of RICS Northern Ireland said: "We have launched a new, UK-wide annual awards programme to recognise the vital role the built environment and our professionals play in creating and delivering outstanding built projects that are having a lasting positive impact on society.

"As the only awards that celebrate the benefit that our built environment has on people’s lives, they will play an important role in recognising the value our industry brings to society across all sectors and celebrating the champions of our industry who are making a remarkable difference."

The deadline to enter the 2020 RICS Social Impact Awards, Northern Ireland, is 31 January 2020 and an Early Bird Rate of £85 (plus VAT) is available for projects entered by 29 November 2019.

The Northern Ireland ceremony will take place between April and June 2020.

(CM/JG)