Cochrane Centres, Associates, Affiliates and Networks give Cochrane a geographic presence around the world. These Groups, among other, facilitate engagement with regional stakeholders; represent and promote Cochrane locally; build capacity for review production and use; engage in knowledge translation activities; as well as support advocacy work.

Cochrane has four types of geographic Groups: Cochrane Centres, Cochrane Associate Centres, Cochrane Affiliates, and Cochrane Networks. The detailed functions of these various Geographic Groups are described here. In summary:

A Cochrane Centre: is the coordinating hub for Cochrane’s presence in a country or region. Their primary role is to support Cochrane contributors in their area, and to act as a point of contact between Cochrane and their regional health communities. A Centre can be a single group or groups working in multiple locations working together to perform the required functions. A Centre undertakes Tier One, Two and Three functions, as well as at least one Tier Four (desirable) function.

A Cochrane Associate Centre: Does not take on all functions of a Cochrane Centre. For many Groups this is a developmental stage to build up a Cochrane presence before applying to be a full Centre.

A Cochrane Affiliate:  A small group of Cochrane members who work together locally and want to be recognised by Cochrane for the work they do. Affiliates may be the starting point for a Cochrane presence in a country or they may be a way to expand the reach of an existing country presence.

Cochrane Networks: Multiple Groups (Affiliates, Associate Centres or Centres) working together in a large and diverse country or a supranational region. An example of a country-based Network is Cochrane Brazil. An example of a regional network is the Cochrane Ibero-American Network.