Mission, Vision & Strategy

What we do

We facilitate networking, to encourage the exchange of innovative ideas and best practices, and to influence social policies on global levels.
We promote the communication of best practices and idea-sharing among member organizations through social media, newsletters, a dynamic website and online forums.
We organize international conferences with partners and member organizations every two years. These meetings provide opportunities for members to share best practices and learn about other cultures.
We organize training and exchange opportunities that encourage networking opportunities.
We promote youth exchanges, common transnational and international projects to bring young people together from different cultures.
We represent members’ interests and concerns through the Federation’s official consultative status within international policy development bodies such as the United Nations system and the Council of Europe.
We are a strong international voice for democracy and social justice.

These activities facilitate the advancement and preservation of the ideals of the Settlement House Movement throughout the world, ensuring a more vibrant and equal place for us all.

Mission

We strive to build an inclusive global community by empowering, inspiring and connecting people who are working locally for social justice.

Vision

Inclusion, Democracy and Social Justice.

Strategy 2022-2023

Key priorities

1. Strengthen the role of IFS as a strong international voice for democracy and social justice

Present statements and conduct workshops in UN/NY and UN/Europe.
Follow up statements with social campaigns.
Seek alliances and join forces with other international organizations focused on Community driven development, Civic engagement, Human Rights and Social Justice.

2. Increase IFS´value to its members

Connect member organizations for international projects.
Promote sharing of good practices by launching educational webinars and seminars.
Promoting an international researcher´network.
Sharing ways to connect local community work to the SDG´s.
Sharing narratives on why IFS is an important network.
Initiate social campaigns.

3. Create dynamic international networks and thematic work groups

Coordinate and promote a wide range of transnational thematic work groups.
Coordinate international networks and dialogues among our members on different levels.
To use our international expertise for national networks.

4. Strengthen member recruitment

Encourage and support our members to create transregional IFS hubs in Europe, Africa, Americas, and Asia/South Pacific.
Actively work to get new members by inviting Settlements and Settlement-like organisations to international meetings, conferences, and projects.
Encourage associated members to become full members.

5. Improve communication tools

Vitalize the website.
Send out newsletters to members on a regular basis.
Find a contact person to the website in every member country.
Create a list of expertise within the network
Create Podcasts on different themes and activities.
Create live sessions on social media.
Try to find ways to also include those who don´t speak English, using our members capacity.

6. Strengthen the IFS office and board as coordinators of IFS

Create a strategic plan for IFS fundraising.
Develop efficient and consistent structure for IFS administration.
Create 1-2 common webinars per year about current phenomena, dedicated to the board.

Regional Groups

IFS are promoting regional sections of the organisation, such as IFS Europe, IFS North America, IFS Nordic and so on. The idea of this is to add value to the membership by creating regional networks. Hopefully we will get more of these in the near future.