Reykjavík Rainbow Certification
Description of the action and objectives
Green Deal action
All Reykjavík City workplaces can obtain Rainbow Certification. The aim of Reykjavík City’s Rainbow Certification is to make Reykjavík City more LGBT+ friendly, both for employees and service recipients, thus preventing direct and indirect discrimination against LGBT+ people.
Implementation period
Ongoing projects.
Status report on July 1, 2025
During this period, more than 40 workplaces have earned Rainbow Certification, adding to the 90 that had been certified since the project started in 2020. More than 130 locations now have certification, and all receive regular refresher sessions and update their action plans annually. In spring 2025, a data story went live on Reykjavík's data dashboard, allowing for close tracking of Rainbow Certification progress, including training opportunities and the number of trained City staff.
Older status reports
| Timeline | Progress description | |
| January 2024 | There is a long waiting list for entry into Reykjavík City's Rainbow Certification program. About 100 workplaces have received Rainbow Certification, with a similar number on the waiting list. The Rainbow Certification program was on hold as of January 1, 2024, due to staffing changes and workload pressures since the fall. The program resumed accepting workplaces off the waiting list at the beginning of 2024. | |
| July 2023 | Work continues on Rainbow Certification in the workplace. In 2023, seven new workplaces received Rainbow Certification, bringing the total number of certified workplaces in Reykjavík City to 97. | |
| January 2023 | By the end of 2022, over 90 workplaces have received Rainbow Certification, with two more in the process and several others planned. Additionally, over 30 workplaces are on the waiting list to receive certification. Just under a third of them are workplaces outside of Reykjavík City that have expressed interest in participating. The certification process continues to evolve, setting clearer and stronger requirements for workplaces while providing counseling, support, and materials beneficial for making their workplaces and services more LGBT+ friendly. | |
| July 2022 | As of early November 2022, 80 workplaces have received Rainbow Certifications, with 9 other workplaces in the process. The certification process continues to evolve, setting clearer and stronger requirements for workplaces while providing counseling, support, and materials beneficial for making their workplaces and services more LGBT+ friendly. |
Connection of action to Reykjavík City's policies:
Related actions
| Action name | Status | Completion | Updated | Departments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reykjavík City action plan on equality and human rights | In progress | 2026 | July 2025 | Human Rights and Democracy Office |
| My Neighborhood | In progress | 2026 | July 2025 | Human Rights and Democracy Office Department of Environment & Planning |
| Reykjavík Rainbow Certification | In progress | 2030 | July 2025 | Human Rights and Democracy Office |
| Reykjavík City's Action Plan Against Violence 2022-2024 | Completed | 2025 | July 2025 | Human Rights and Democracy Office |
| Inclusion, immigrants, and origin | In progress | 2030 | July 2025 | Human Rights and Democracy Office |
| Accessibility and disabled people | In progress | 2025 | July 2025 | Human Rights and Democracy Office |
| Provision of information in English | Completed | 2024 | July 2025 | Human Rights and Democracy Office |
A City for People
- 1. For All of Us | The Green Deal Residents' well-being and the feeling of belonging in Reykjavík.
- 2. Let Dreams Come True | The Green Deal Children and adolescents let their dreams come true.
- 3. Culture and arts will be integrated into city life | Green Deal Everyone has equal opportunities to participate in and enjoy culture and arts.
- 4. Sports for all | Green Deal Most people regularly engage in sports or other physical activities.
- 5. Improved public health | Green Deal A health-promoting, sustainable, and diverse community.
- 6. Human rights, increased participation, and improved conversations with residents | Green Deal Residents have the opportunity to work with the City to improve their quality of life.