CLGF continually promotes the importance of working in partnership on all levels, with all sectors and, particularly, with the different spheres of government. The added value and benefits that this can bring to any course of action is immeasurable.

CLGF members lead on local democracy, delivering important local services and advocating for change and policies to improve the lives of the people they serve. Connecting with communities, and all the people that make up that community, is vital to ensuring local government policies, services and advocacy reflect what those people want and need. This makes the relationship between local government and civil society so important and why CLGF is proud to work with The Commonwealth Foundation, an intergovernmental organisation.

Razmi Farook has just been announced as the new Director-General of the Commonwealth Foundation, the Commonwealth’s agency for civil society, and will assume the role on 1 September 2025, taking the helm as ambassador for civil society in the Commonwealth. Ms Farook’s experience of working for civil society and intergovernmental organisations, includes the United Nations, the International Federation of the Red Cross, and ActionAid International. Her career has focused on supporting marginalised and war-affected communities, advocating for equity.

CLGF Secretary-General, Lucy Slack, said: “We send our very warm wishes to the outgoing Director-General, Anne  Gallagher, with whom we have enjoyed a productive relationship. Local government’s priority is to create communities that are safe, fair, equal and sustainable, but to do this, the link with civil society must be genuine and strong.”

She concluded “We send our congratulations to the incoming Director-General, Razmi Farook, and look forward to our continued partnership with the Commonwealth Foundation.

Go to the official website for more information about the work of the Foundation.