Scots are being encouraged to open their doors to people attending COP26
Scots are being encouraged to open their homes to COP26 visitors from the Global South
Households are being encouraged to open their doors to people attending COP26, helping widen access to the summit by providing affordable accommodation.
Almost 700 households have already signed up to be part of the COP26 Homestay Network, which is operated independently of the Scottish Government by non-profit organisations.
By offering free or low-cost accommodation, hosts can help ensure those unable to cover the costs themselves, particularly those from the Global South, can attend the summit and make their voices heard.
Patrick Harvie, Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants' Rights Minister, said:
Learn how to be a host at the COP26 Homestay Network website
The COP26 Homestay Network is being organised independently from the Scottish Government, which cannot assure any householder or potential guest of the safety and the security of the scheme.
The network operates a substantial safety and safeguarding policy. Host and guest identities are verified via their bank account details, and their profiles are checked by a support team that is available 24 hours a day.
Guests find host spaces that they’d like to book, and then hosts are able to view this booking request – including the guest’s profile – and decide whether to accept or not. Hosts can chat privately with the guest before accepting, using the message function on the site.