Since 1992 the Unit for Health Services Research and International Cooperation acts as WHO Collaborating Centre for Maternal and Child Health with the following terms of reference:

1. development and evaluation of appropriate technologies for health care during pregnancy, the newborn period, infancy and childhood;
2. development and validation of guidelines and training materials and modules;
3. support to the implementation of WHO programmes in low and middle income Countries. Furthermore, the Institute collaborates with the World Bank (Children and Youth Unit) for guidelines on early investements in health and education and with the UNIDO Institute for Science and Technology for telemedicine programmes with developing Countries.
   

Since 2002 the Unit coordinates public health projects funded by the European Commission on breastfeeding and infant and young child feeding. The following projects have been completed so far:

• Promotion of Breastfeeding in Europe (EU Project Contract N. SPC 2002359) for the development of a Blueprint for Action for the Protection, Promotion and Support of Breastfeeding;
• European Network for Public Health Nutrition: Networking, Monitoring, Intervention and Training (EU project contract N. SPC 2003320) for the development of Standard Recommendations for Infant and Young Child Feeding.