IFS - International Federation of Settlements and Neighbourhood Centres

14/08/2026

Check out the exciting work of our member organizations. Tinada Youth Action Africa and what they have in store next month

September 2026📍 Location: Kisumu, Kenya🇰🇪

14/08/2026

🌎🇨🇦 The TNC Open Doors Exchange is coming to Toronto!

This exciting learning exchange will bring together community practitioners, neighbourhood centres and settlement organisations from across the Americas to share ideas, build connections and explore innovative approaches to community development.

We encourage IFS members to take a look and consider participating in what promises to be a valuable week of learning and collaboration.

🔗 https://www.theneighbourhoodgroup.org/open-doors-exchange

We look forward to hearing about the connections, ideas and inspiration that emerge from this wonderful international exchange.

🌍

The Neighbourhood Group Community Services is a social agency serving more than 40,000 low-income people and families in 30 locations across Toronto. With more than 1,000 staff and the support of over 600 volunteers, our free programs and services address the most pressing issues in our community: p...

14/08/2026

🌍🤖 Opportunity from our International Federation of Settlements (IFS) UN Working Group network!

Are you a young innovator, researcher, entrepreneur, student, or organisation using AI to create positive social change?

The United Nations University (UNU) Global AI Network has opened applications for the AI for SDGs – Global Youth AI Future Innovation Competition 2026. This international competition aims to harness artificial intelligence to address global challenges and advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This year's theme is:

📚 AI and Education: AI Transforming the Educational Paradigm and Enhancing AI Literacy

The competition is seeking innovative projects that use AI to: ✅ Improve education and learning outcomes
✅ Increase accessibility and inclusion
✅ Strengthen AI literacy and responsible AI use
✅ Address social challenges through innovation
✅ Advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) and related goals.

📅 Applications close 15 September 2026.

This is a fantastic opportunity for young people from around the world to showcase innovative ideas, connect with global leaders, and contribute to a more sustainable future through technology. 🌏✨

For more information and application details: https://unu.edu/macau/aiconf2026/competition

Thank you to our colleagues in the IFS UN Working Group for sharing this opportunity with the global settlements and neighbourhood centres community.

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! 😊

24/07/2026

20/07/2026

20/07/2026

Good news: we've extended Early Bird pricing for the Connecting Communities Conference 🎉

If registration's been on your to-do list, now's the time - save $150 before the deadline hits.

📅 7–8 Sept 2026

Spots are filling fast - register now: https://events.humanitix.com/lcsa-conference-2026

17/07/2026

Community ownership is a proven, scalable driver of local economic renewal and resilient, connected communities. Locality members have shown across the country how community spaces reduce social isolation, improve health outcomes, strengthen social cohesion, and provide inclusive employment – particularly in areas of high deprivation.

Our latest report, "Keys to the future", created with Power to Change and supported by Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, sets out a detailed roadmap for a new era of community ownership. With the right strategy, investment and support, community ownership can do far more than save at-risk buildings and spaces: it can create inclusive jobs, tackle isolation and strengthen cohesion.

We're calling for coordinated action across government, funders and investors, with the funding and support set out in this report, alongside a National Strategy for Community Ownership, to help catalyse a £1bn community assets fund and build a new era for community ownership.

"Keys to the future: How we build a new era of community ownership" lays the foundations for local renewal on a national scale.

Read the report: https://locality.org.uk/reports/keys-to-the-future-how-we-build-new-era-of-community-ownership

17/07/2026

17/07/2026

With International Association for Community Development - IACD – I just got recognised as one of their top fans! 🎉

14/07/2026

🤝 Global connections, stronger communities.

IFS representatives joined colleagues from around the world at the International Community Development Conference, where an exciting new partnership with the International Association for Community Development was formalised to support knowledge sharing, professional learning, and international collaboration. 🌍✨

Read about it here https://ifsnetwork.org/news/%f0%9f%8c%8f-ifs-members-participate-in-international-community-development-conference/