What will happen
A Community Welcome Campaign helps create a visible culture of inclusion and belonging across your town or village. Posters, social media, public art, shop displays and community signage share positive messages about welcoming newcomers and celebrating diversity. Small visual reminders can help people feel recognised, challenge negative stereotypes and show that the community values everyone who lives there.
Who is involved
Local businesses, cafés and shops
Community groups, schools and libraries
Artists, designers and communications volunteers
Migrant communities and local residents
Local authority and SICAP programmes
What are the steps in making it happen
Gather positive messages, quotes and ideas from the community.
Create simple and attractive designs, posters or artwork.
Partner with community venues, businesses and public spaces.
Launch the campaign across the town or village.
Promote messages through social media and local communications.
Refresh materials regularly to keep the campaign visible and relevant.
Inclusion Tip
Use images, stories and languages that reflect the diversity of your local community. Include messages created by newcomers as well as longer-established residents.
What resources are needed
Design templates or artwork
Printing budget (optional)
Partners willing to display materials
Social media and communications support
What are the logistics in getting it off the ground
Start small with a handful of highly visible locations such as libraries, community centres, cafés and sports clubs. Focus on simple messages, strong visuals and community voices. Public art, murals, pledge boards and multilingual welcome signs can help reinforce the message.
How you'll know it's working
Welcome messages are visible across the community
Local organisations want to take part
Positive engagement online and offline
Community members report feeling more welcome
The campaign continues beyond the initial launch
Link to examples
Waterford City & County Council: New Mural Celebrates Diversity in Waterford https://waterfordcouncil.ie/new-mural-celebrates-diversity-in-waterford/
Refugee Phrasebook – community language and phrasebook initiatives https://refugeephrasebook.de
Welcoming & Inclusive Communities Campaign Kit – pledge boards, templates and campaign resources https://www.abmunis.ca/sites/default/files/documents/PDF/WIC/Templates/templates_-_wic_campaign_guidelines.pdf
Manchester City of Sanctuary and other towns in the UK use public pledges, banners, posters and campaigns to visibly signal that refugees and asylum seekers are welcome. https://ilovemanchester.com/manchester-city-sanctuary-refugees-asylum-seekers
