Every story begins with a cause. This is our story...

2010

The idea was launched in Northern Europe by Marcis Skadmanis.

2014

The European Union and global leaders officially recognized February 27 as World NGO Day.

Global

Today, it is celebrated across six continents, uniting communities, leaders, and changemakers worldwide.

Journey & Recognition

World NGO Day was first recognized in 2010 by 12 Baltic Sea Forum countries, endorsed again in Berlin, Germany in 2012, and officially launched globally in 2014 in Helsinki, Finland with support from the UN and EU. Since 2017, the European Union’s Diplomatic Service (EEAS) has marked it annually with official international statements highlighting its global importance.

The Story of World NGO Day

European Union - Official Statements

The European Union is a political and economic union of 27 member states that are located primarily in Europe.

World NGO Day, recognized as an international day by the European Union, since 2017, is marked annually by the European External Action Service (EEAS), the Diplomatic Service of the European Union. Each year, the EEAS issues an international statement on the occasion of World NGO Day, highlighting its global significance and drawing attention to key issues impacting civil society worldwide.

2026

World NGO Day: Statement on behalf of the European Union Special Representative for Human Rights, Ms Kajsa Ollongren, on the occasion of World NGO Day, 27 February 2026 – European External Action Service (EU)

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OFFICIAL STATEMENT 2025

World NGO Day: Statement by the EEAS Secretary General Belén Martínez Carbonell

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World NGO Day: Statement by the High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell. OPEN HERE

Press releases:

World NGO Day: Statement by the High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell. OPEN HERE

Press release: World NGO Day: Celebrating those working towards peace

World NGO Day: Statement by the High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell. OPEN HERE

Press release: World NGO day: The altruism of brave women, men and youth to the benefit of all

World NGO Day: Statement by the High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell. OPEN HERE

Press release: With Civil Society no one is left behind (Read More)

World NGO Day: Statement by the High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell. OPEN HERE

Press release: EU stands up for civil society worldwide (Read More) 

Statement by EU High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini on the occasion of the World NGO Day.

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Statement by High Representative/ Vice-President Federica Mogherini on the occasion of World NGO Day.

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Statement on the occasion of the World NGO Day 2017.

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Andris Piebalgs, the European Commissioner for Development of the European Commission.

WATCH THE VIDEO STATEMENT.

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    The Right Honourable Helen Clark, 8th Administrator of UNDP and 37th Prime Minister of New Zealand – World NGO Day 2014
    H.E. Andris Piebalgs, European Commissioner for Development — World NGO Day 2014
    H.E. Giovanni Di Girolamo, EU Ambassador to Madagascar and Comoros – World NGO Day 2021
    EU Ambassador to Georgia Pawel Herczynski on the World NGO day.
    Alberto Cortezón Gómez, Head of Cooperation, Delegation of the European Union in Guatemala.
    H.E. Egils Levits, President of Latvia – World NGO Day 2023