As we mark 30 years of CLGF activities with our local government members across the Commonwealth - advocacy, programmes and research - we would like to shine a light on our relatively new, but important networks.

Dissemination and innovation

New, because they were established in the last ten years. Important as they serve as crucial vehicles through which we can disseminate information and experience, as well as providing a springboard for innovation and insight to take forward. CLGF focuses on supporting local democracy, good governance and continually improving local services. Our Networks enable us to look at these issues through the lens of a specific focus.

Women in local government

The Commonwealth Women in Local Government Network or ComWLG aligns itself with Sustainable Development Goal number 5, which seeks to empower women and girls. The CLGF network serves as an overarching support, with many countries in various regions of the Commonwealth having established their own local/national chapters. The focus is on leadership and gender equality: building capacity, offering mentoring and advocating on behalf of women in decision-making and leadership roles.

Established in 2017, ComWLG was launched by three trailblazing women at CLGF's Commonwealth Local Government Conference in Malta: CLGF’s Patron, Hon Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand; Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, the former Commonwealth Secretary-General; and the President of Malta in 2017, Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca.

Sustainable cities

The Commonwealth Sustainable Cities Network or CSCN which aligns itself to Sustainable Development Goal 11, is concerned with city resilience and urban innovation: governance, economic development, smart cities, and youth empowerment.

Established in 2015, CSCN brings together politicians and leaders of major cities, where rapid urbanisation and the need for sustainable urbanisation go hand in hand.

Commonwealth youth

The Commonwealth Youth for Sustainable Urbanisation Network or CYSU seeks to empower youth leadership to advocate for, and shape sustainable, youth-friendly cities across the Commonwealth, which is very apt with 60% of the Commonwealth’s 2.7bn population aged 30 or under. Made up of young leaders and young professionals who are key to ensuring a sustainable future for all: local government, academia, planning, building.

Achievements

Some of the recent highlights from 2024 and 2025 include:

ComWLG:

• The South Asia Charter for Gender Equality was published.
• More than 375 participants from 61 countries registered to attend a webinar on women politicians and political parties, held jointly with our partners at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, to reveal the challenges and successes of women standing for public office.
• To coincide with CLGF’s 30^th anniversary, CLGF is collating and publishing a series of profiles of women leaders from across the Commonwealth. Read the remarkable tales of achievement.
• Global recognition in being invited to participate as a judge in the UN SDG Action Awards.

CSCN

• FCDO supported Dialogue at Wilton Park on Sustainable Urbanisation (Mar–Apr 2025).
• More than 200 delegates attended the first Member-led webinar entitled Unlocking Local Finance, to look at leveraging resources to support urban development.
• CLGF supported the Bloomberg Mayors Challenge 2025 with a pleasing outcome of 12 of the 50 global finalists coming from Commonwealth cities.
• Advocacy at CHOGM 2024 and COP29
• The Cities Space magazine was published, capturing some of the network's expertise.

How to get more involved

The networks are managed by CLGF Senior Programme Officer, Janine Xavier-Cross. They are spaces for exchange and learning, and dynamic launch pads for ideas and innovation. The lessons already learned and identified from these structures include:

• Partnerships amplify impact
• Peer-to-peer learning builds skills
• Local leadership ensures sustainability
• Integration of gender, youth, climate, governance works

The obvious challenges include scaling peer learning and sustaining momentum; and, as always, resource and data gaps. But further opportunity exists for:

• City-to-city collaboration and global recognition
• Cross-network synergies (for example, women in climate-smart cities)
• Leveraging support and Commonwealth convening power

We are always interested to hear from members and partners interested in engaging more closely with our networks. To find out more, take a look at CLGF’s website, the ComWLG and CSCN pages, and the news pages for updates. Or contact CLGF’s Senior Programme Officer, Netorks, Janine Xavier-Cross to find out how you can get involved.