The international guests were leaders from UNOPS, UNESCO, UNDP, European Union, Nordic Council and international organizations.
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.
How It All Started
Officially proposed and recognized in 2010, and declared in 2012. First time marked by the UN, EU, Nordic Council leaders and international organizations in 2014.
World NGO day was officially proposed and recognised in 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 of the World NGO Day was increased through a roundtable at the House of Commons and House of Lords, UK Parliament.
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.
European Union - Official Statements
The European Union is a political and economic union of 27 member states that are located primarily in Europe.
Since 2017, each year the European External Action Service (Foreign and Defence Ministry of the European Union) issues the international statement on the occasion of World NGO day. The EEAS indicates the global focus and brings attention to the important matters at the World NGO Day.
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.
World NGO day serves all of us to reflect and take a good resolution for the future
Anna Rurka, President of the Conference of INGOs, Council of Europe
During the third Council of Europe Summit of Heads of State and Government in Warsaw, Member States committed themselves to preserving democracy and good governance at all levels, through the active involvement of citizens and civil society. However, genuine civil participation requires an enabling environment for NGOs and trust in democratic institutions. A strong mobilization of citizens and civil society across Europe shows that the world is going through an existential crises that needs the mobilization of all at the local and global level. New citizen movements are created to push forward the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, defend climate and social justice, their values and their rights. NGOs must be appreciated and valued as an incubator of democratic innovation and as a transformative power.
World NGO day serves all of us to reflect and take a good resolution for the future. Let’s engage, let’s connect to each other to build solidarity across the world, to stop polarization and to build a cohesive society and a cohesive Europe.
Organise Your World NGO Day
Council of Europe celebrates the World NGO Day
The Conference of INGOs celebrated World NGO Day for the first time at the Council of Europe with
2014: The Inaugural Event Of World NGO Day (Feb 27), Finland.
The World NGO Day 2014 Forum was hosted at Scandic Marina Congress Center in Helsinki on Thursday
European Greens On World NGO Day
The 27th February 2020 marks the sixth time that World NGO Day is celebrated globally. This day i