WHO collaborating centres must have the capacity and the institutional stability to develop relations with other institutions through shared activities and networking. They should be willing and prepared to use their own resources to implement the collaborative activities proposed in their work plans. The designation procedure is the same for all parts of the Organization. This ensures that the selection process is as objective and transparent as possible. The initiative for proposing institutions as WHO collaborating centres may come from institutions and governments or from WHO's regional offices and headquarters.
Designation is based on technical considerations which include geographical and subject relevance.
It can be renewed on the basis of review of performance and assessment of the continued relevance of collaboration, taking into consideration WHO's evolving needs and policy. Evaluation, for both designation and redesignation, is carried out through an open and collective process which involves WHO country representatives, Regional Offices and relevant units at headquarters, as well as the governments concerned. Final authority in designating a collaborating centre rests with WHO's Director-General. Management of collaboration with the centres Collaboration with the centres is managed by relevant units in that part of the Organization which initiated the designation process, whether at headquarters or in a region. WHO collaborating centres, however, maintain technical links with all parts of the Organization relevant to their agreed programme of work.