How It All Started
Officially proposed and recognized in 2010, World NGO Day was declared in 2012 and first observed in 2014 by the UN, EU, Nordic Council leaders, and international organizations. It is acknowledged as an international day by the European Union.
World NGO Day, observed on February 27th, was established in the European Union and envisioned by Latvian-born British social entrepreneur and lawyer Marcis Skadmanis (23 years old at the time).
World NGO Day was officially proposed by Marcis Skadmanis with the support of Civic Alliance Latvia (Member of the Baltic Sea NGO Forum) and recognized on April 17, 2010 by 12 countries of the Baltic Sea NGO Forum in Vilnius, Lithuania. The member countries of the Baltic Sea NGO Forum were Belarus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Norway and Sweden.
Resolution of the IX Baltic Sea NGO Forum, Lithuania.
On April 23, 2012 the World NGO Day was accepted by the Baltic Sea NGO Forum Committee under the German CBSS Presidency at the Humboldt University in Berlin, during the X Baltic Sea NGO Forum: Social Capital for a Sustainable Baltic Sea Region.
Final Statement of X. Baltic Sea NGO Forum, Germany.
Awareness and lobbying for World NGO Day, led by the young Marcis with the support of many volunteers, were increased through a roundtable at the House of Commons and House of Lords in the UK Parliament, as well as through UNESCO, UNOPS, the European Union Commission, the British Embassy in Finland, The Royal Over-Seas League (UK), the Commonwealth Foundation (UK), the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (UK), the Nordic Council, and many other international institutions.
The first global inaugural event of World NGO day was hosted by the Ministry for Foreign affairs of Finland on 27 February 2014 in Helsinki, Finland. The international guests were leaders from UNOPS, UNESCO, UNDP, European Union, Nordic Council and international organizations.
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, Minister for International Development, The Honourable Heidi Hautala on World NGO Day, 2012.
Quotes about World NGO Day from world leaders.
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.
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 (PDF)
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 (PDF)
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 (PDF)
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. OPEN HERE (PDF)
Statement by High Representative/ Vice-President Federica Mogherini on the occasion of World NGO Day. OPEN HERE (PDF)
Statement on the occasion of the World NGO Day 2017. OPEN HERE (PDF)
Andris Piebalgs, the European Commissioner for Development of the European Commission.
Celebrate, Commemorate and Collaborate
World NGO Day is to inspire people to become more actively involved within NGO sector and encourage a greater symbiosis between NGOs and both the public and private sector.
- A day for NGOs around the globe to share their knowledge and experiences with one another.
- An opportunity for education, enabling individuals worldwide to understand more clearly what NGOs are doing for society, locally, nationally and internationally.
- An international symbol to display the efforts and achievements of all NGOs from all sectors.
- An opportunity to inspire people to consider a career within the NGO/Non-profit sector.
- An opportunity for individuals to learn more about the people involved with NGOs.
- An opportunity for NGOs to discuss the issues that affect their work, and form partnerships that can resolve a mutual problem.