Local Bermudian reviewers were last week paired with their international counterparts to assess whether non-profits on the island meet criteria outlined in the Council on Accreditation standards.

Six COA reviewers visited the island to conduct site visits as part of the Non-profit Alliance of Bermuda accreditation programme.

It marked the first such visit since prior to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The programme is guided by the Bermuda National Standards Committee and assesses internationally validated best practice standards using a peer review model.

Nadine Lapsley Dyer, a member of the BNSC, said in 2005 the committee established a formal partnership to operate the first global COA accreditation process.

“A core part of that agreement was the use of trained volunteer peer reviewers to ensure objective, internationally recognised assessments while reflecting Bermuda’s local context,” she said.

Aria Bean, director of operations at NAB, said: “The Non-profit Alliance of Bermuda is pleased to re-establish the formal partnership with the Council on Accreditation.

“The pairing of local and international peer reviewers strengthens the integrity and objectivity of the designation process while reinforcing our commitment to internationally recognised standards of best practice and local capacity building.”