Reflecting on a Landmark Year and Looking Ahead to 2026

As the new host office team, we are delighted to share our reflections on a year of significant progress, connection, and transformation for the International Federation of Settlements and Neighbourhood Centres (IFS) Network. 2025 has brought both challenges and achievements, underscoring the resilience, commitment, and spirit of our global community. We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported and worked alongside us as we begin this new chapter in Sydney. Your trust, guidance, and encouragement have been invaluable, and we look forward to the journey ahead with great optimism.

This year was marked by a series of significant milestones that have strengthened our foundation and expanded our reach. From enhancing our internal operations to fostering unprecedented global engagement, every step forward was made possible by the collective effort of our members, partners, and dedicated teams. This article celebrates the key achievements of 2025 and extends our deepest gratitude to everyone who contributed to our shared success.

A Year of Successful Transitions and Growth

One of the most significant undertakings of 2025 was the successful transition of our host office. We smoothly moved our central operations from the Finnish host office to our new home in Sydney, Australia, with the exceptional LCSA team. This move represents a new chapter for IFS, and we extend our sincere thanks to our Finnish colleagues for their years of dedicated service and to the LCSA team for warmly welcoming this new responsibility.

Enhancing Our Digital Presence

In step with our operational transition, we have also focused on our digital footprint. This year, we successfully refreshed our website to serve our network better. Building on this, we have commenced the exciting project of creating a brand-new website, which is on track for a 2026 launch. This new platform will enhance how we connect, share resources, and communicate our impact with the world.

Strengthening Our Connections

Internal processes received a significant upgrade in 2025. We improved our meeting procedures to foster more regular and meaningful interactions. With a mix of formal and informal gatherings and enhanced reporting and documentation, we have created a more collaborative and efficient environment for our members to connect and advance our mission. This was exemplified by our successful biannual general meeting, the democratic election of a new president and a dynamic executive committee poised to lead us into the future.

Unprecedented Global Engagement and Impact

This year saw a remarkable increase in participation across all levels of our network. We were thrilled to see more staff and frontline workers, not just CEOs, becoming actively involved in IFS activities. This broader engagement enriches our discussions, strengthens our grassroots connections, and ensures a diversity of voices shapes our direction.

Landmark Gatherings Across Continents

Our commitment to global connection was on full display. We hosted the largest Regional meeting in the history of IFS in Africa, an event that sparked renewed enthusiasm and a powerful sense of shared purpose among all who attended.

Our global reach was further highlighted by a highly successful IFS gathering in London, which brought together over 120 international delegates. This event was followed by the Locality’s leading conference, where we joined an additional 400 UK delegates for a robust exchange of ideas and best practices. These events are vital for nurturing the relationships that form the heart of our network as we celebrate 100 years of work!

Supporting Our Members

We believe that participation should be accessible to all. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, we raised 6,800 AUD for our conference scholarship fund. This, combined with in-kind donations of flights and accommodation, allowed us to provide crucial support for members who otherwise may not have been able to attend. This spirit of mutual support is what makes our network so special.

Building a Strong and Sustainable Future

Behind the scenes, our focus on solid governance and strategic planning has been unwavering. We are proud to report that we operated within and, in many cases, under our budget for 2025. This financial discipline ensures our long-term sustainability and allows us to invest strategically in our mission.

We have welcomed new members and forged new partnerships, expanding our collective influence. Clear strategic and operational plans are now in place to guide our work, ensuring our efforts are coordinated and impactful. Our regular advocacy work, high social media engagement, and consistent newsletters have kept our community informed and connected throughout the year.

Of course, this journey has not been without its imperfections—there have been valuable lessons learned, and we recognise that much work lies ahead. The path forward will present new challenges, but we are prepared to meet them together with resilience and determination.

A Heartfelt Thank You and A Look to 2026

None of these achievements, including all those we forgot to mention, would not have been possible without you. We extend our deepest gratitude to every member, partner, volunteer, and staff member. Your contributions, whether big or small, have created a ripple effect of positive change across our global community.

As we look toward 2026, we are filled with hope and excitement. We have many plans and actions ahead and will need ongoing support, new expertise, and active contributions from across our community. If you or your team have ideas or would like to be involved, please reach out—we would love to hear from you. We will build on the strong foundation laid this year, guided by our new leadership and a clear strategic vision. We will continue to champion neighbourhood-level solutions, foster global solidarity, and work tirelessly to create a stronger network and a more just and sustainable community for all.

Thank you for being part of the IFS journey. We wish you and yours a peaceful and restorative holiday season and look forward to collaborating with you in the new year.

Mike Shreenan, IFS Operations Manager,

on behalf of the LCSA host office and the IFS staff team.