Become an Age-friendly Community

An age-friendly community is one that supports all people as they age by making policies, services, spaces, and programs inclusive, accessible, and responsive to older adults’ needs. These changes benefit people of all ages, not just older adults.

Why become an AFC recognized community? AFC recognition will grant communities: 

• An AFC Provincial letter of recognition 
• Access to an AFC digital seal for use on community materials and websites 
• Recommendation by the BC Ministry of Health to be granted age-friendly recognition at the national and international levels, through the Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) respectively 
• Access to a network of other communities (domestic and international) to learn from colleagues in other jurisdictions

The objectives of the AFC Recognition Program are to: 

• Formally recognize and reward communities in BC that have completed age-friendly work and keep track of how many communities achieve AFC recognition status each year
• Support and guide additional communities in BC to attain formal age-friendly recognition and keep track of how many communities are engaged in the process 
• Build upon the momentum generated in BC communities about the importance of age-friendly concepts and continue to promote these across the province 
• Raise awareness in communities about the needs of older residents and how changes can be implemented to support older adults’ independence and healthy, active aging

Encouraging communities to embed age-friendly principles into their physical and social structures is one of the most effective strategies to promote healthy aging. The AFC Recognition Program will contribute to the improved wellness of BC’s older adults by providing local and Indigenous governments, communities, and residents with the tools, resources and support they need to keep aging populations engaged, active, independent and healthy. 

Age-friendly Community (AFC) Recognition

Communities can apply for AFC recognition through BC Healthy Communities. Four criteria are required for recognition as an age-friendly community. These include:

1. Establish an Age-friendly Communities Committee or Group, with the active participation of older adults
2. Pass a Council/District Board or Band Council Resolution
3. Conduct an Age-friendly Assessment
4. Develop and Publish an Action Plan

What happens when a community is recognized?

To maintain recognition, communities are encouraged to:

• Implement their action plan
• Monitor and publicly report progress
• Update priorities over time
• Progress is reviewed periodically to ensure continued impact.

What are the benefits of AFC recognition?

AFC Recognized communities in BC receive:

• A provincial letter of age-friendly community (AFC) recognition status
• An official AFC digital seal indicating “We are a BC Age-friendly Community!” for use on promotional materials and websites
• Promotion through provincial and BC Healthy Communities channels and platforms
• Opportunities to connect and share information with national and international age-friendly networks and communities
• Increased visibility and credibility for funding and partnerships

For more information on the application process, please be in touch with us at AgeFriendlyBC@bchealthycommunities.ca. Ready to apply? Follow the link below to “Submit your application”.