Welcome to the website of the Independent Forum of Commonwealth Organisations (IFCO). The website is undergoing review and revision with a view to a relaunch in 2026 linked to the major review of IFCO governance and structures.
IFCO facilitates a collective voice of Commonwealth Accredited Organisations and their networks. IFCO promotes the voice of civil society within the Commonwealth as a strategic partner with Member States and the Commonwealth inter-governmental institutions.
Following initial, informal activities from 2016, the Forum adopted a more formal governance framework in 2019. IFCO has coordinated collective submissions to Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings since 2018.
IFCO completed a major governance review in 2026 with a revised constitution including a framework for elections. A new Steering Committee (formerly “Steering Group”) was elected in April 2026. The first IFCO Conference under the new structure (in April 2026) welcomed contributions from the Commonwealth Deputy Secretary General, the Commonwealth Head of Communications, the Director General of the Commonwealth Foundation, the President of the Commonwealth of Learning and the UK Commonwealth Envoy from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. The conference also approved a new Code of Conduct and the final draft of the IFCO submission to CHOGM.
Primary aims of IFCO
1. To serve the Commonwealth and its peoples, to promote Commonwealth values as expressed by the Commonwealth Charter.
2. To make the experience, knowledge and skills of Accredited Organisations more accessible to governments and Commonwealth Inter-governmental Organisations for use in promoting Commonwealth development and wellbeing, including by means of recognising/establishing thematic clusters of Commonwealth Organisations.
3. To promote a better appreciation of the role and value of civil society contributions and voices in furthering Commonwealth objectives.
4. To provide a forum where organisations can exchange experience and information, co-ordinate views and prepare proposals and submissions for consideration by competent authorities.
5. To serve as a sounding board for ideas and proposals articulated by its partners.
6. To encourage organisations to engage in critical self-examination and analysis with a view to improving performance and maintaining the highest standards of integrity, accountability and transparency.
Member Countries of the Commonwealth
Commonwealth Perspectives
- “Commonwealth Organizations: Third Pillar of the Commonwealth?” 107 The Round Table 97 (2018).
- “Taking the Measure of the Commonwealth: A Review Essay,” 20 Journal of Colonialism and Colonial History (2019).
- “The Commonwealth Isn’t Tinkerbell,” (May 15, 2018) (with access to a YouTube video of a British Library debate about the Commonwealth and a list of other blog posts marking the 2018 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London).
Updated 4 August 2026