How we work
We tackle the root causes of poverty, support communities through crisis, campaign for gender equality, and help governments do what’s right for children and particularly for girls. We are here to ignite the creativity, talent and ideas of girls in all their diversities. We are informed by evidence, and always learning.
We’ve been doing this for more than 80 years, but we don’t do it alone. We bring people together to create change that lasts. Children, families, local communities, government, schools, businesses, and you.
We do what we do so babies can survive their first 1000 days, so children can learn in safe environments, so girls can live and work without discrimination, so young people can stand up for their rights, and so all children can break free from poverty. We view the children, families and local communities we work with as our partners and our equals.
By standing with girls and supporting them to speak up, know their rights and lead, we’re working towards a better, more equal world for all. Learn more about our work and our impact.
How we started
Plan International was founded in 1937 by British journalist John Langdon-Davies and refugee worker Eric Muggeridge, originally to provide food, accommodation and education to refugee children whose lives had been orphaned or displaced by the Spanish Civil War.
It was Langdon-Davies who conceived the idea of a personal relationship between a child and a sponsor – a model that puts a child at the centre, and remains the core of what we do.
As one of the oldest, largest and most experienced organisations in our field, we know that there is nowhere in the world where girls are treated as equals. We work alongside children, young people, supporters and partners to tackle root causes of the injustices facing girls and the most marginalised children.
We are a secular organisation with no religious or political affiliations. Poverty doesn’t discriminate, so neither do we.
How funds are spent
We’re committed to efficiency, transparency, and to maximising the impact of every generous donation that we receive. Read more in our annual report.
