CIFAL is a French acronym for International Training Centres for Local Authorities and Local Actors (Centre International de Formation des Autorités/Acteurs Locaux). CIFAL are established in collaboration with host local authorities/institutions, private sector partners, UNITAR and other UN organizations. Each CIFAL Centre is a hub for capacity building and knowledge sharing between local authorities, national governments, international organizations, the private sector and civil society. Read more.

UNITAR’s research activities are focusing on knowledge systems and their practical applications. Taking into consideration capacity development requirements such activities allow the Institute to develop methodologies that are particularly relevant for lifelong learning. Research supports the Institute’s training activities through the provision of learning environments adapted to respond to the needs of adult learners, thus facilitating the increase, efficiency and outreach of the Institute’s capacity development activities. 

UNITAR's Operational Satellite Applications Programme is a UNITAR programme which benefits from infrastructure support provided by the European Organisation of Nuclear Research (CERN). By delivering integrated satellite-based solutions for human security, peace and socio-economic development, its goal is to make satellite solutions and geographic information easily accessible to the UN family and through training and capacity development projects. Since 2003, UNOSAT has established a rapid mapping service for the international humanitarian community and the UN Member States. 

The Institute is supported entirely by voluntary contributions from governments, intergovernmental organizations, foundations, and develops working relationships with other UN entities, the private sector and renowned academic institutions. Becoming one of our partners contributes to our goal and enables the exchange of knowledge through collaboration. Read more.

UNITAR's vision of training and capacity-building is based on the conviction that training should be linked to international, national and local efforts to initiate change, and should result in a measurable impact. Read more.

Numerous contacts and exchanges exist among the training and research institutes; at the same time, they all have institutional relationships with other UN partners that represent important strategic and operational alliances for their ongoing work programmes. There is active collaboration across the United Nations system and a fair degree of awareness of what other organizations do. This allows for the development of partnerships that create synergies in the delivery of services, particularly in the field of training.