Who we are
The International Federation of Settlements and Neighborhood Centers (IFS) is a global movement of more than 11000 member associations that include multi-purpose, community-based organizations across the world. We believe in empowering the people who work for social justice by connecting, inspiring and supporting an inclusive global community.
Please watch this video to learn more about Settlement Houses.
“Let’s all be brave and creative builders of a much better and just world”
How to become a member
Our Membership spans the globe offering partnership for programs and conferences that introduce you to new networking channels.
Focus Areas: Coronavirus: The impact on Neighbourhood Houses and Community Centers and more.
The IFS Helsinki Office and members have been organising online meetings as an opportunity to IFS members to share news and talk about the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on community work and plans after the crisis. There have been two meetings so far. The first online meeting took place on March 31, 2020, and the second on May 6, 2020.
Sophie Michelena, IFS Europe Projects Coordinator from Locality in the United Kingdom conducted research on COVID-19 related experiences as a part of the IFS Europe Office. The research compiled and compared experiences of social centres and their national bodies in 8 European countries: Sweden, the Netherlands, Austria, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, and the UK.
The research took place in October and November 2020 and included:
- Interviews with the national membership and support organisation
- An online survey with social centres and local organisations in Europe
The research’s key findings can be found here.
Below you will find links and shortcuts to the main focuses of the IFS Office.
News & Blog
Middle Manager’s Work Wellness During Social Distancing – SAVE THE DATE!
10/03/2021
info Middle Manager’s Work Wellness During Social Distancing – SAVE THE DATE!...
MAGAZINE C’EST POSSIBLE! N°18 “Le tour du monde des centres sociaux” Dec 2020 – Mars 2021
It's here! The Magazine C'est Possible! from the French Federation of Centres...
NGO Committee on Migration survey and Grassroots immigrant work and COVID-19
In the context of the Coronavirus pandemic, the survey below (via links) is...
Upcoming events
IFS Conference 2021 Social Justice – The Unfinished Journey
14/09/2021
IFS Conference Sydney 2021 - SAVE THE DATE! Event description...
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One thing we love at IFS is sharing the work and faces of people behind the actions from around the world. People who have dedicated their time, energy and lives to empowering their communities. Thanks Wiener Hilfswerk for sharing Ingrid's story.Was hast du vor 22 Jahren gemacht? Schule, Matura, Zivildienst, Uni👨🎓? Oder kannst du dich schon gar nicht mehr daran erinnern🤔?
💛💚💛💚Ingrid Rasl-Brandl, Bereichsleiterin der Wohnungslosenhilfe - Betreutes Wohnen, weiß das noch ganz genau, denn sie nennt das Wiener Hilfswerk bereits seit 22 Jahren ihr berufliches Zuhause🏠.
Ihre Schwerpunkte lagen und liegen im Empowerment armutsgefährdeter und von Wohnungslosigkeit bedrohter Frauen und Familien und in der Konzeptentwicklung und -anpassung an gesellschaftliche und individuelle Bedürfnisse. Zudem leitet sie ein 16-köpfiges Team und das, mit großer Leidenschaft.
Ihr Erfolgskonzept? Ingrid glaubt an das Gute in allen Menschen und vertraut auf ihre inneren Stärken und Fähigkeiten und das obwohl - oder gerade weil - sie selbst einige Stolpersteine und Hürden im Leben zu nehmen hatte. Ingrid’s Familie ist ihr Anker⚓️und Kraftspender. Ihre Passion findet sie in der Arbeit als selbständige Supervisorin, als Coach und Workshop-Leiterin sowie im Malen und im Erstellen von Kurzgeschichten.
Wenn ihr mehr über die Projekte und Einrichtungen der Wohnungslosenhilfe erfahren möchtet, klickt euch rein: www.hilfswerk.at/wien/soziale-angebote/wohnungslosenhilfe/
#PowerOfCommunity Thanks for sharing LocalityCoastal communities are creating a greener, fairer future for their places – but need power and resources in their hands to lead this change. That’s why we're calling on govt to put #CommunitiesInCharge of the upcoming UK Shared Prosperity Fund: locality.org.uk/blog/transforming-britains-seaside-towns/
Sharing the Goddard Riverside WHAM to show support as it's March 31.
Every March, during Women’s History Month, Goddard Riverside’s Community Arts program hosts an exciting month-long arts festival celebrating female artists and perspectives. #InspireMeWednesday
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