10 Departments can organize their collaboration with the WHO collaborating centres (WHO CCs) under their responsibility in different ways, as follows:
- One-to-one collaboration with WHO: the designated institution works in a bilateral relation with WHO. There is no interaction with other parties as part of the designation.
- Networks: the department responsible for a number of WHO CCs encourages connections and synergies between them to achieve enhanced results, facilitate resource mobilization and build capacity. Existing networks of WHO CCs have shown that, when possible, developing a network of WHO CCs (as opposed to working with them one-to-one) is a cost-effective mechanism that greatly contributes to the planning and implementation of the agreed activities and gives an additional incentive to the centres.
20 It is also possible to envision a network where not all the members are institutions designated as a WHO CC. For example a network could also include nongovernmental organizations or national institutions recognized by WHO, subject to the requirements of FENSA. It is also possible for WHO CCs to act as focal points for regional or local networks of WHO CCs and, in that way, help to channel information from and to WHO.
30 The responsible officer should ensure that any activity that a network of WHO CCs may carry out outside the individual designation agreements between these institutions and WHO are in line with WHO policies.
