Professional development

The International Association of Facilitators (IAF) works to establish international standards, build credibility, and promote the value of facilitation worldwide. Central to these objectives is providing support for the professional development of IAF members.

Being a facilitator is a unique opportunity to help groups work together by creating effective processes that foster participation and achieve results. While there is no single, universal approach to facilitation, there are certain values, ethics, skills, and behaviours that support effective facilitated processes.

The Association has drawn on the significant experience and expertise of its members to discuss and distil the key attributes of credible and effective facilitation. The outcomes from these global discussions include the IAF’s Statement of Values & Code of Ethics and IAF Core Competencies framework.

Statement of Values & Code of Ethics
The IAF adopted its Statement of Values and Code of Ethics in June 2004, after extensive consultations and discussion within the IAF membership and the field of facilitation.

IAF Core Competencies
IAF Core Competencies represent a fundamental set of skills, knowledge, and behaviours that facilitators must have to be successful facilitating in a wide variety of environments.

The strength in these tools is that they are not derived from any one individual, organisation or company. They have been researched, discussed, debated, and improved through the collective wisdom of IAF members, some of whom are pioneers of process facilitation.

The Code of Ethics and IAF Core Competencies are the building blocks for:

IAF endorsement and certification of facilitators
IAF Endorsed™ Facilitation Training Programmes.

Global Mentorship Program

The IAF Global Mentorship program has been designed to be a value add for our members around the world. It offers both the opportunity to engage with more experienced mentors globally, and serves as the base for a future IAF Endorsed™Facilitator credential.

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Professional Development Path

IAF’s Professional Development Path features five tailored credentials complementing the various stages of the professional facilitator’s career. Learn more about them and begin your journey towards becoming a Certified Professional Facilitator (CPF) today.

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IAF Certified™ Professional Facilitator

The IAF CertifiedTM Professional Facilitator (CPF) is the professional designation for IAF members who demonstrate having IAF Core Competencies. The IAF Core Competencies represent a fundamental set of skills, knowledge, and behaviours that support effective facilitation in a wide variety of contexts.

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IAF Core Competencies

IAF Core Competencies framework was developed over several years by the IAF with the support of its members and facilitators from all over the world. Tested over time, the six competencies form the basic set of skills, knowledge, and behaviours that facilitators must have in order to be successful facilitating in a wide variety of environments.

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Ethics

Facilitators are called upon to fill an impartial role in helping groups become more effective. We act as process guides to create a balance between participation and results. We, the members of the International Association of Facilitators (IAF), believe that our profession gives us a unique opportunity to make a positive contribution to individuals, organizations, and society. Our effectiveness is based on our personal integrity and the trust developed between ourselves and those with whom we work. Therefore, we recognise the importance of defining and making known the values and ethical principles that guide our actions.

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Assessment Philosophy

The International Association of Facilitators provides various levels and types of professional credentials to its members in support of the association’s mission: to grow the community of practice for all those who facilitate, establish internationally accepted professional standards, build credibility, and promote the value of facilitation around the world. IAF’s overall Assessment Philosophy is supported by four underlying beliefs. We value professional collaboration to improve our profession. We use processes, methods and tools responsibly. We practice stewardship of process and impartiality toward content. We are responsible for continuous improvement of our facilitation skills and knowledge.