International NGO Day: Celebrating the Impact of Civil Society
Every 27 February is International NGO Day, a day to recognise the invaluable work of NGOs in building a more just and sustainable world. Driven by the will and solidarity of their members, NGOs fill gaps in communities where government has no presence or where aid is insufficient. They also promote citizen participation by involving society in the search for solutions to local and global problems.
What are NGOs?
Non-governmental organisations are private, non-profit entities that seek to promote social welfare, improve people’s quality of life and defend human rights. They engage in a wide range of activities, from humanitarian aid in emergency situations to long-term projects that promote community development, education, health, poverty alleviation and environmental protection.
In 2019, there were more than 10 million registered NGOs worldwide, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics report, with those involved in development cooperation and rights promotion being the most prominent.
What are NGOs for?
NGOs play multiple roles that are essential for the well-being of humanity. Their impact on humanitarian and emergency assistance during and after crisis situations, such as natural disasters or armed conflicts, stands out.
NGOs play a crucial role in humanitarian and emergency assistance, responding to crises such as natural disasters and conflicts. According to the United Nations, some 305 million people will need life-saving assistance in 2025, and NGOs are key in delivering emergency aid, such as food, medicine and shelter.
They also promote education and community empowerment in vulnerable areas, as in the case of Save the Children, which in 2023 provided education to more than 2.7 million children and trained 500 teachers in child protection and psychosocial support, these actions help to reduce gaps in the quality of education and promote innovative pedagogies and inclusive practices through teacher training.
Another fundamental axis is the defence of human rights. Organisations such as Amnesty International, which by 2023 had trained more than 5.9 million people (HRE), or the Fibgar Foundation, document, investigate and report on human rights violations to ensure access to justice and close the impunity gap.
Its impact also extends to environmental protection in the face of the climate crisis, where NGOs such as Greenpeace lead global campaigns against deforestation, climate change and biodiversity loss, trying to mitigate and halt their effects in key places and being instrumental in some major global changes.
Globally, many NGOs are fighting extreme poverty, providing access to business training, health services, employment and driving economic development programmes in different countries.
According to a recent Global Compact publication, NGOs contribute significantly to the development of public policies and to the achievement and fulfilment of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, collaborating with governments and international organisations to create more inclusive and effective programmes.
Our commitment at FIBGAR
At the Baltasar Garzón International Foundation (FIBGAR), we work every day to defend and promote human rights, universal justice and the fight against impunity. Through education, research and advocacy, we develop projects focused on historical memory, the protection of human rights defenders and institutional transparency. We firmly believe in the need to strengthen the rule of law and in the importance of human rights education as a key tool for social change.
How can you collaborate with NGOs?
Participation in NGO activities is not only limited to making donations. You can also collaborate by volunteering your time and skills, spreading the word on social media or participating in the organisation of events to raise awareness and broaden the scope of our work.
If you would like to join us in our work at FIBGAR, you can do so through financial donations to help us move forward with our human rights and universal justice projects. You can also participate as a volunteer in our initiatives or establish strategic alliances with us. We are present in Spain, Mexico, Argentina and Colombia, where we work tirelessly to promote justice and defend fundamental rights. You can also collaborate by spreading the word about our work and supporting our campaigns, thus contributing to a fairer and more equitable society.
On this International NGO Day, we celebrate and recognise the efforts of all the organisations that positively impact millions of people around the world. From assisting in emergencies to promoting human rights and protecting the environment, their work is key to social progress. Joining them is an effective way to contribute to global well-being and strengthen the struggle for a more just and dignified world for all.
Margarita Villegas, FIBGAR collaborator.
