It seeks to improve regeneration policy and practice and works closely with policy-makers in the Scottish Government and its agencies.

The organisation was established in 1992 and has offices in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

[1] One of SURF's main activities is the annual SURF Awards for Best Practice in Community Regeneration, which has been running since 1998.

[2] The SURF Awards are delivered in partnership with the Scottish Government.

[3] SURF also operates a programme called the Alliance for Action, which supports practical regeneration activities in several Scottish places including Govan, Kirkcaldy and Rothesay.