Facilitation is the art of "making things easier" for a group. This website makes it easier for European facilitators to connect, share resources, and learn about events and activities taking place in Europe. IAF Europe is the European region of the International Association of Facilitators.

Facilitators in Europe meet annually at the IAF European conference, share news through the IAF Europe Newsletter and the IAF Europe blog, and work locally through IAF chapters and affiliated networks. An IAF Regional Team co-ordinates our work.
If you work as a facilitator in Europe , please join our community by joining IAF. Learn more about membership and affiliation [gary.purser@iaf-europe.eu]; about the newsletter, website and forum [rosemary.cairns@iaf-europe.eu]; and about IAF Europe governance [martin.gibraith@iaf-europe.eu].

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Bridging cultures, the conference theme, came to life in Groningen Oct. 3-5, 2008, as 137 participants from 26 countries came together for 28 workshop sessions in which facilitators freely shared their knowledge. Participants came from Austria, Barbados, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Gambia, Germany, India, Italy, Luxembourg, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, the Philippines, Romania, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, the U.K. and the U.S.A.

There has never been a better time for facilitators, and other professionals engaged in change, to play a leading role in the economic and social challenges facing Europe and the world. This conference will allow us to come together to create a community in order to identify and develop the opportunities presented by the current economic and social challenges, in our work and the communities in which we live and work. The theme – ‘Get Inspired’ – draws on the history of the Dreaming Spires of Oxford - and that it is ‘The European Year of Creativity & Innovation’ designed to provide a platform for reflection and exchange of ideas across Europe. The Conference will be held in the centre of the city of Oxford in one of Oxford University’s leading colleges, Keble College. Keble combines modern conference facilities and residential accommodation with the historical charm that makes it truly British.

For more information please visit www.iaf-europe-conference.org

Congratulations to two new IAF-affiliated groups in Europe - one in Germany and one in Serbia. IAF Germany - German Facilitators Network has eight members, all IAF members, and is piloting a new approach to affiliation in Europe that will be called a "chapter", or sub-regional grouping of IAF.
The Serbian Facilitators Network has developed gradually over the past two years, growing out of discussions at the 2006 IAF conference in Stockholm, and submitted its affiliation request last year.
The IAF Board accepted both affiliation requests at the Nov. 10, 2008 board meeting. This brings affiliated groups in Europe to eight, including Finland, Ireland, Netherlands, Slovenia, Sweden, and the Central and Eastern European network.

The International Association of Facilitators (IAF) is the foremost professional organization for facilitators in the world.
The IAF is dedicated to growing facilitators and encouraging the use of group process methodologies world-wide. It was formed by a group of professional facilitators seeking an avenue for interchange, professional development, trend analysis and peer networking.
In 1994 the IAF began with 70 members. Since then the IAF has grown to over 1500 members in more than 63 countries around the world.