Raptor Awards Community Interest Company (CIC) is a UK-based not-for-profit organisation focused on the welfare and education of birds of prey. In the financial year, Raptor Awards has been engaged in providing courses and certification, particularly in training, handling and keeping birds of prey (theory and practical). These courses and assessments are for anyone from beginners to advanced who are within or aspiring to be involved in the bird of prey community. For example, zookeeping, falconry and pest control. This covers a wide range of modules, including but not limited to bird of prey accommodation, legislation and manning a bird of prey (training). Raptor Awards have expanded their reach by certifying new centres as training providers for the Raptor Award courses and certifying additional Assessors across the UK and this is also being developed internationally (for example, Spain and Croatia), all aimed at improving bird welfare through professional standards and best practices. The outreach of Raptor Awards has also recently expanded further into areas such as prisons where courses are both assessed and taken by prisoners as part of rehabilitation. The expansion of Raptor Awards into prisons benefits the community by providing prisoners with valuable education and skills, which support rehabilitation and reduce reoffending. These courses help prisoners develop a sense of achievement, improve behaviour, and prepare for positive reintegration into society, ultimately contributing to safer communities. Raptor Awards has recently expanded its courses to young people interested in the field through the ‘Junior Raptor Awards’ and by introducing Raptor Award certification for students at animal management colleges such as Hadlow College, beginning in October 2025. This engages young people with an interest in birds of prey, providing educational opportunities that foster responsibility, careers, conservation awareness, and a connection to animals. This seeks to inspire and educate future generations of falconers, zookeepers, pest controllers, wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists, promoting long-term community and environmental benefits. Raptor Awards also supports bird of prey businesses and individuals in navigating licensing regulations to ensure ethical treatment, high welfare standards and conservation awareness. Overall, Raptor Awards makes a significant contribution to the community by providing high-quality courses and certifying assessors who deliver training to a diverse range of stakeholders as well as opening valuable career development opportunities. This is all centred around promoting high standards in bird of prey welfare, which is the overriding mission of the Raptor Awards.

Raptor Awards Community Interest Company’s stakeholders are vast. These include course candidates, approved assessors, bird of prey centres, zoos, falconers, pest controllers, prisoners, young bird of prey enthusiasts, animal management colleges (e.g., Hadlow). This is also set to expand to veterinary nurses and veterinarians, where bird of prey welfare is very lightly touched upon. The company consults these stakeholders via direct communication, conferences, course feedback, collaboration with avian veterinarians, and experienced falconers, their input is incredibly important to improve courses, expand outreach, and uphold high welfare standards. In response to stakeholder feedback, Raptor Awards continuously adapts and refines its courses and standards to better serve bird of prey welfare and by extension the bird of prey community, places of study (such as colleges), and the wider public.

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