Why Certify
Embedding data and evidence into decision-making sets the foundation for stronger, safer and healthier communities. Data-informed cities produce sustainable solutions to endure today’s crises and tackle tomorrow’s challenges, set better priorities to make every dollar count, budget effectively and better engage their communities.
What Works Cities Certification sets the standard of excellence in city governance by evaluating how well cities are managed and whether they have the right people, practices and policies in place to put data and evidence at the center of decision-making.
A path to improvement
Receive a report benchmarking their current state of practice and outlining a customized path for improvement.
Access to free resources
Gain access to educational resources that help them implement the best practices in a constantly evolving field.
Access to community
A one-of-a-kind space to celebrate, troubleshoot and innovate with peers in other cities
How Certification Works
The first step toward achieving Certification is completing the Data Snapshot, a short questionnaire that provides cities with an initial benchmark of their data practices. Cities that take the Data Snapshot receive customized next steps to improve their data practices and continue on the Certification journey. After the Data Snapshot, eligible cities will take the full What Works Cities Certification Assessment to achieve Certification.
Silver
Local governments are good at understanding data, tracking progress, and using data and evidence to make decisions. Cities that achieve between 51% and 67% of the Certification criteria are recognized at the Silver level.
51% - 67% (≥22 criteria)
Gold
Local governments are great at understanding data, tracking progress, and using data and evidence to make decisions. Cities that achieve between 68% and 84% of the Certification criteria are recognized at the Gold level.
68% - 84% (≥29 criteria)
Platinum
Local governments set the precedent in understanding data, tracking progress, and using data and evidence to make decisions. Cities that achieve 85% or more of the Certification criteria are recognized at the Platinum level.
+85% (≥37 criteria)