Getting accredited as a Welcoming Community
Find out about the benefits of becoming an accredited Welcoming Community and how to apply for accreditation.
What is accreditation?
Welcoming Communities accreditation recognises councils and communities that are working to create welcoming and inclusive places for newcomers, including recent migrants, former refugees and international students.
Councils taking part in the programme can apply for accreditation and work towards achieving the Welcoming Communities Standard.
Accredited communities can celebrate and share their achievements as part of the Welcoming Communities network.
The Welcoming Communities accreditation model
There are 4 stages of accreditation, each with increasing levels of requirement and benefits:
- Stage 1 — a Committed Welcoming Community
- Stage 2 — an Established Welcoming Community
- Stage 3 — an Advanced Welcoming Community
- Stage 4 — an Excelling Welcoming Community.
The benefits of accreditation
Accreditation as a Welcoming Community has a range of benefits, including:
- showing a community values and welcomes newcomers
- helping to attract, support and retain newcomers
- showing that a council is part of an international welcoming network
- showcasing new and existing welcoming activities on the national and international stage
- providing a way to assess and reflect on progress and to improve welcoming practices
- celebrating success and a shared pride in positive outcomes for the community
- fostering conversations in the community around valuing inclusion and diversity.
Maintaining accreditation shows a community's commitment to being a welcoming community and ensures they are visible to newcomers.
Who can apply
Councils and communities who have signed up to the Welcoming Communities programme can apply to become accredited.
How to apply for accreditation
The Welcoming Communities Applicant Accreditation Manual explains the accreditation process and the requirements for each stage.
More information
Contact our Welcoming Communities programme team for more information about the programme and becoming accredited.