July 1, 2013, marks the first official day of operations for the International Federation of Community Health Centres (IFCHC) whose founding Secretariat is based in Almere, The Netherlands. The IFCHC is the product of discussions and planning among key global partners, dating back to 2010.

The vision for an international agency that would help foster collaboration and knowledge exchange among CHCs around the globe and would work to improve access to community-oriented primary health care is one that has united the IFCHC’s founding partners from the beginning.

The call for establishment of an IFCHC was catalyzed through core presentations and discussions at the 2011 International Community Health Centres Conference in Toronto, Canada, Community Health Centres: Acting Today, Shaping Tomorrow.

Following that gathering of over 1000 delegates from around the globe, two years of intensive planning and coordination among the IFCHC’s founding partners have ultimately made the IFCHC a reality. We are thrilled to share this moment with the global community and look forward to working with stakeholders and communities around the globe to broaden the reach and membership of the Federation over the months and years to come!

• Learn more about the founding IFCHC partners via the Memorandum of Understanding that has given shape to the IFCHC.
• Access the IFCHC Constitution to learn more about our mission, objectives and structures.
• Find out more about our CHC Members and learn how to become a CHC Member.