Your Opportunity to Host the 2027 IFS International Conference!

The International Federation of Settlements and Neighbourhood Centres (IFS) is officially inviting Expressions of Interest (EOI) to host our 2027 International Conference.

There is no required time of year—the event can be held at any point in 2027, giving hosts the flexibility to choose dates that suit their local context. We also welcome proposals to integrate the IFS conference with an existing local, regional or national event your organisation may already be planning, as long as the IFS gathering is thoughtfully and meaningfully woven into the program.

Successful examples of this approach include the national conference in Lille, the annual Locality Convention, and the 2010 New York City conference, which integrated with significant organisational anniversaries. Combining events can help maximise resources, attract a broad audience, and create a memorable and impactful IFS conference experience.

This is an exciting and prestigious opportunity for your organisation to take centre stage and welcome our global community to your city. At the same time, hosting the IFS conference requires significant responsibility, detailed planning, and dedicated teamwork. The journey starts now, bringing this event to life involves commitment from the outset, but the rewards and impact can be lasting. If you’re ready to embrace both the challenges and the rewards, now is the perfect time to step forward and begin laying the groundwork for an unforgettable IFS experience.

Hosting the IFS conference is an opportunity to showcase your work, share your community’s unique strengths, and facilitate vital conversations shaping the future of social justice and neighbourhood work worldwide.

Who Can Apply?

We invite submissions from passionate, capable organisations eager to create an inspiring and memorable event. To be eligible, your application must be led by an organisation represented on the IFS Board and a dues-paying member in good standing. This connection ensures strong links with IFS’s global leadership and encourages collaboration from the very beginning, supporting a smooth, effective planning process.

A Prestigious Opportunity for the IFS Network

The biennial IFS conference is a cornerstone event for our network. It brings together members, partners, and leaders from across the globe to connect, learn, and re-energise our collective mission. By hosting, you play a pivotal role in strengthening these international bonds and advancing our shared goals.

To support our future host, the 2026 in-person IFS Board meeting will be held in Sydney. This gathering will provide a fantastic opportunity for planning and collaboration, drawing on the expertise of the IFS leadership and the recent experience of the Sydney conference team.

Guidance and Support Are Available

We understand that hosting an international conference is a significant undertaking, and the planning and delivery of the IFS Conference is truly a shared journey.

Collaboration between the host organisation, the IFS office, and the IFS Board is central to every successful event. Throughout the process, the IFS office and Board will work alongside hosts, actively contributing to marketing, fundraising, program content, logistics, and more.

The nature of this partnership adapts to the unique culture and capacity of each host organisation, so you can be confident that IFS will be an engaged and supportive partner at every stage. Additionally, we can connect you with past conference hosts who can offer peer support, valuable insights, and practical advice to help you develop a strong and successful proposal.

If you have the vision and capacity to host this prestigious event, we encourage you to submit an Expression of Interest.

For more information and to begin the EOI process, don’t hesitate to contact our IFS Operations Manager at mshreenan@counterpointcs.org.au.

We look forward to receiving your proposals and working together to create an unforgettable conference in 2027.

Thinking about hosting the 2027 IFS International Conference?
This short video from the IFS100 Conference offers a glimpse into the energy, collaboration, and connections that define IFS gatherings.

👇Watch the IFS100 Conference video