Safe Communities is a World Health Organisation (WHO) concept that recognises safety as "a universal concern and a responsibility for all". This approach to safety promotion and injury prevention encourages greater cooperation and collaboration between non-government organisations, the business sector, central and local government agencies, and creatively mobilises local community members to action. The International Safe Communities model creates an infrastructure in local communities for addressing injury prevention initiatives through the building of local partnerships. It is a programme that was initiated in Sweden by the WHO Collaborating Centre on Community Safety Promotion  at the Karolinska Institute for Social Medicine  (www.phs.ki.se/csp).  SCFNZ is a Certifying and Affiliate Support Centre for the WHO CCCSP and works collaboratively with other key stakeholders to further support the development of injury prevention and safety promotion.  It provides support for the Safe Community Accreditation Programme and an opportunity for all relevant stakeholders to increase collaboration and action on injury/crime prevention and safety promotion.

In order to be designated as a  Safe Community, of the International Safe Community Network. communities are required to meet the following seven criteria:

1. An infrastructure based on partnership and collaborations, governed by a cross-sectional group that is responsible for safety promotion in their community.
2. Long-term, sustainable programmes covering both genders and all ages, environments, and situations.
3. Programmes that target high-risk groups and environments, and programmes that promote safety for vulnerable groups.
4. Programmes based on the available evidence.
5. Programmes that document the frequency and causes of injuries.
6. Evaluation measures to assess programmes, processes and effects of changes.
7. Ongoing participation in national and international Safe Communities networks.

It is recommended that New Zealand communities wishing to apply for accreditation as a safe community contact the Safe Communities Foundation New Zealand (SCFNZ) contact@scfnz.org

Process:  International Safe Community

The process for designation as an Interntional  Safe Community includes a letter of intent, completion of WHO CCCSP standard application forms (see steps 1-10 WHO CCCSP guidelines www.safecommunities.org.nz/resources/guidelines),written application, (NZ requirement) and a site visit. When a community considers it has achieved the above criteria they should apply to SCFNZ.  The application includes:

• Letter of intent, signed by the mayor.
• Application fee ($5000 NZ dollars+ GST) paid to SCFNZ. The application fee covers the WHO CCCSP fee, peer review process, travel and accomodation costs associated with site visits, and designation ceremony (including the provision of a flag and plaque).
• Community Outline/Internet Summary - form B  (see attachment template).
• Form A of the international WHO CCCSP guidelines (see attached template).
  
• SCFNZ encourages applicants to view the existing SC application on the SCFNZ website SCFNZ is available to support communities in this process. 

Send five hard copies includling all appendices of which one is to be unbound and one electronic copy (including appendices) of the application to:

Safe Communities Foundation New Zealand
Box 331399, Takapuna,
North Shore 0740
contact@scfnz.org

Applications should be addressed to:
Safe Communities Foundation New Zealand, a Certifying Centre of the WHO Collobaorting Centre on Community Safety Promotion

The application for membership to become a  Safe Community of the International Safe Community Network has to be lodged at least six weeks before a site visit can be arranged. It is advisable to submit your community outline/internet summary - form B early on in the ISC process. This internet summary is hosted on both  the WHO Collaborating Centre on Community Safety and SCFNZ webpage. Please note that your application will be internationally peer reviewed through SCFNZ.

Once the above paper review is completed and standard achieved.  Representatives from SCFNZ will make the on-site visit (usually 1 day) to review your programme and application, arranged at a time mutually suitable to both your community and the Certifying Centre.  Emphasis is given to how your community has achieved each of the seven criteria and needs to include:

• a meeting with the cross-sectional group that is responsible for the safety promotion/injury/crime prevention programme in your community; and
• field visits/presenatations to demonstrate how your community is addressing each criteria.

Designation:  International Safe Community

Once all the above have been satisfactorily completed, a designation ceremony is arranged at a time and place suitable to both your community and the Certifying Centre representative.  In addition, to the requirement specified by the WHO Collaborating Centre on Community Promotion, the group also needs to agree to: make an announcement celebrating their designation. After receiving designation, the designated community work with SCFNZ staff as part of their ongoing commitment to the international, pan pacific and national safe communities network and must complete the SC annual report activites template to SCFNZ.