CIFAL Network

Each CIFAL Associated Centre (CIFAL: Centre International de Formation des Autorités Locales – International Training Centre for Local Authorities / Actors) is a hub for capacity building and knowledge sharing between local authorities, national governments, international organizations,
the private sector and civil society.

The main objective of the training activities conducted in the CIFAL centres is to achieve sustainable urbanisation in the context of increasing responsibilities of local authorities. One of the priorities is to encourage South-South, East/East cooperation between local authorities in order to improve access to basic services.

A recent agreement with UN-HABITAT, on behalf of UN Agencies, and with the new World Organisation of Local Governments, on behalf of all associations of local authorities, recognises the CIFAL network as the world training arm targeting and working with local authorities.

Thus far eleven regional associated CIFAL Centres have been established:

• CIFAL Atlanta (USA) on information technology, public-private partnerships and commercial diplomacy
• CIFAL Curitiba (Brazil) for Latin America on sustainable development and the information society  
• CIFAL Durban (South Africa) for English-speaking Africa on sustainable development and the information society
• CIFAL Findhorn (Great Britain) for Northern Europe on sustainable urbanization and environment
• CIFAL Jeju (South Korea) for Asia and Pacific on human security and environment
• CIFAL Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) for Asia Pacific on sustainable development
• CIFAL Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) for French-speaking Africa on sustainable development
• CIFAL Shanghai (China) for Asia and Pacific on the information society
• CIFAL Płock (Poland) for Central and Eastern Europe on public-private partnership and sustainable urban development.