A non-governmental organization (NGO) is a non-profit organization that operates independently from government entities and is driven by a mission to address a particular social, humanitarian, environmental, or developmental issue. NGOs are typically established by individuals or groups of individuals who come together to work towards a common cause and are governed by their own internal structures and regulations.
Non-governmental organizations rely on various sources of funding to sustain their operations and activities. These can include grants from governments, foundations, and international organizations, as well as private donations from individuals, corporations, and fundraising initiatives.
NGOs engage in a range of activities, including advocacy, research, policy development, awareness raising, service delivery, capacity building, and community empowerment. They often work in partnership with governments, other non-governmental organizations, and local communities to achieve their goals.
Examples of NGOs include organizations such as Amnesty International, Oxfam International, Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières), Greenpeace, Plan International, World Wildlife Fund, Concern Worldwide, Save the Children, Human Rights Watch, CARE International, and many others that operate at local, national, regional, and international levels.
NGOs play a vital role in addressing societal challenges, providing humanitarian assistance, promoting human rights, advocating for policy changes, conducting research, and contributing to sustainable development. Their work complements and sometimes supplements the efforts of governments and intergovernmental organizations in tackling complex issues and advancing social causes.