World Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Day is observed annually on 27 February across the globe to recognize, celebrate, and honor the contributions of NGOs and Non-Profit Organizations (NPOs) that contribute to society all year round. This day also acknowledges the selfless efforts of volunteers who support these organizations.
- 27 February 2025 marks the observance of the 12th Edition of World NGO Day.
- The theme for World NGO Day 2025: “Empowering Grassroots Movements for a Sustainable Future” highlights the need to empower local communities for a sustainable, inclusive future.
Note – There is no officially declared theme for World NGO Day 2025, but “Empowering Grassroots Movements for a Sustainable Future” is widely mentioned in news sites.
Background:
i.World NGO Day was created in the European Union (EU) by Marcis Liors Skadmanis in 2009, a Latvian-British tech entrepreneur and philanthropist from the United Kingdom (UK), with the support of Civic Alliance Latvia (Member of the Baltic Sea NGO Forum).
- Since 2017, World NGO Day has been officially recognized as an international day by the European Union (EU). It is also observed every year by the European External Action Service (EEAS) to honor the contributions of NGOs globally.
ii.The day was officially proposed and recognized on April 17, 2010 by 12 countries at the Baltic Sea NGO Forum in Vilnius, Lithuania.
- The member countries of the Baltic Sea NGO Forum are Belarus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Norway, and Sweden.
iii.On April 23, 2012, the ‘Baltic Sea NGO Forum Committee’ officially accepted ‘World NGO Day’ during the X Baltic Sea NGO Forum at Humboldt University in Berlin (Germany) under the leadership of the German Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS).
iv.The first-ever global World NGO Day event was held on February 27, 2014 by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland in Helsinki, Finland.
What is NGO?
i.NGO refers to a non-profit, citizen-based organization that operates independently from government control and involved in various sectors, such as humanitarian aid, environmental protection, education, and social welfare.
ii.NGOs are also known by other terms such as NPOs, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and Charitable Organizations (COs), and are commonly referred to as the “third sector” of society.
- The concept of NGO was formalized in 1945 through Article 71 of the United Nations (UN) Charter.
iii.NGOs play a significant role in addressing societal challenges, advocating for human rights, and promoting sustainable development around the world.
iv.They work in partnership with governments, other NGOs, and local communities to create positive change, particularly in areas where the government’s reach or resources may be limited.
Points to Note:
i.Over the past decade, World NGO Day has evolved into a global celebration spanning 145 countries and 6 continents, highlighting the global impact of NGOs.
ii.There are over 10 million NGOs and NPOs operating worldwide, making a significant impact in various sectors.
iii.More than 50 million individuals are actively working and volunteering for NGOs and nonprofits, driving positive change around the globe.
