What is the WHO Healthy Cities Network?

A city joins the European Healthy Cities Network based on standards and conditions that are renewed every five years.

Each five-year phase focuses on specific goals and themes to address current issues and policies.

The current phase, Phase VI (2014-2018), is based on the European health policy framework, Health 2020. This framework focuses on improving health for everyone and on reducing health inequalities through improved leadership and health management.

Healthy Ireland, Ireland’s framework for improved health and wellbeing (2013-2025), is in line with the goals of the WHO Healthy Cities Programme. Therefore, being part of the Healthy Cities programme supports the implementation of Healthy Ireland.