The WHO Healthy Cities Project aims to build a movement for public health at local- city, national or international level. Because of its innovative approach to health, the diversity of participants and geographical considerations a flexible approach was required. Networks were chosen as a key to developing Healthy Cities activities and processes. Networks at regional, local, national and international levels can be distinguished within the healthy Cities movement.

The principal task of a national healthy cities network is to serve the needs of the participating cities and to expand the healthy Cities movement.

National networks are functioning in Austria, Belgium (Flemish and French), Croatia, Czech republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Lithuania, Norway, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine and the United Kingdom. 5 regioal networks are functioning with a formalised structure in Spain.