Non-governmental organizations are an integral part of society. They bring about lasting and sustainable change and are indispensable as they catalyze change across communities, regions, and nations. Their evolution from grassroots initiatives to global discourse has been so significant that even governments partner with them to reach the places they can’t.
In this blog, we will explore the history, course, origins and transformative roles NGOs have in shaping the society as we know it today.
The History of NGOs and Their Foundation Ideas
Long before the world connected with a tap, there was a time when humanitarian groups made voluntary efforts to address local problems. They worked tirelessly out of compassion, tending to the needs of communities confronted by famine, conflict, or public health crises. Initially, these organizations operated in modest settings, harnessing local resources and volunteer energy to address immediate concerns.
For example, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), founded in 1863, pioneered neutral humanitarian aid during conflicts and set a precedent for modern NGOs.
Over time, the scope of activities undertaken by the groups grew exponentially. They evolved from simple helping hands to active participants in international conversations concerning humanity’s and the environment’s well-being. The history of NGOs is filled with examples of strategic alliances that go beyond borders, race, species or colour.
As the 20th century progressed, NGOs expanded their efforts drastically. Post-World War 2, organizations like CARE International delivered 100 million “CARE packages” to war-torn Europe. Humanitarian efforts like these gave NGOs a say in international policies by the 1980s.
By 2023, 10 million+ NGOs operated globally, with the UN recognizing 5,300 as their official partners. Their financial impact is noteworthy as NGOs like BRAC serve 100 million people annually in 11 countries. So, it is safe to say that NGO’s have come a long way.
Expanding the Scope: Social Reform and Grassroots Empowerment
NGOs are uniquely positioned in modern society today by bridging the gap between individuals and formal governmental structures.
For instance, the 2017 Women’s March, coordinated by NGOs and grassroots groups, rallied over 5 million people across 81 countries to advocate for gender equality. Organizations like India’s Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS), founded in 1990, pioneered grassroots campaigns such as the Right to Information Movement, which pressured the government to enact the 2005 Right to Information Act—a law now used by over 6 million citizens annually to demand transparency. By offering training and platforms for dialogue, NGOs like Brazil’s Instituto Socioambiental (ISA) empower Indigenous communities to defend land rights, contributing to the demarcation of 14% of Brazil’s territory as Indigenous reserves.
Similarly, BRAC’s Empowerment and Livelihood for Adolescents (ELA) program in Bangladesh has trained 8 million women in entrepreneurship and leadership since 1993, reducing child marriage rates by 33% in participating villages.
In regions with minimal government support, NGOs like Kenya’s Ushahidi leverage technology to crowdsource crisis data. It helped local leaders to coordinate disaster responses. These efforts create self-reliance. Microfinance institutions like the Grameen Bank have disbursed $30 billion in loans to 9.8 million borrowers (97% women), lifting millions out of poverty through community-led solutions.
The transformative potential of NGOs extends to cultural preservation. UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund, supported by NGOs, has safeguarded 677 traditions across 140 countries, including Colombia’s Vallenato music and Japan’s Washoku cuisine.
In New Zealand, the Māori Arts NGO Te Whakaata Toi revived Indigenous practices like ta moko tattooing, boosting cultural tourism by 17% between 2015–2022. NGOs also drive intercultural dialogue: Search for Common Ground, active in 35 countries, reduced ethnic tensions in Nigeria by 40% through media campaigns promoting pluralism. Economically, the Aga Khan Development Network invests in heritage restoration, generating 50,000 jobs in South Asia and Africa while preserving historic sites.
Economic Contributions and Sustainable Development
NGOs aren’t just about social stuff—they’re considerable players in tackling economic gaps and pushing for sustainable development. Take Kiva, for example. They’ve been connecting small donors to entrepreneurs in developing countries since 2005. Over $1.6 billion in loans have gone out to people in 80 countries, and the cool part? A 96% repayment rate. That’s not just charity—it’s giving people the tools to build their futures. And it’s working. In places like Kenya, small businesses funded through Kiva have seen profits jump by 40% in just a few years.
Then there’s the whole fair trade movement. NGOs like Fairtrade America have been pushing companies to pay farmers a fair price for coffee, cocoa, and bananas. In 2022 alone, fair trade premiums brought in over $200 million for Latin America, Africa, and Asia communities. That money goes straight into building schools, clean water systems, and healthcare clinics. It’s not just about money, though. Fairtrade also pushes for better farming practices—like reducing pesticides and protecting forests. In Costa Rica, fair trade coffee farms have seen a 30% increase in biodiversity. That’s a win for farmers and the planet.
NGOs are also big on innovation. Look at Solar Sister in Africa. They’ve trained over 5,000 women to sell solar-powered products in rural areas with scarce electricity. These women aren’t just making a living—they’re bringing clean energy to their communities. Since 2010, Solar Sister has reached over 2 million people, cutting down on kerosene use and saving families money. Or take Water.org, co-founded by Matt Damon. They’ve helped over 50 million people access safe water and sanitation by working with local banks to offer small loans for water systems. It’s a simple idea, but it’s changed lives.
NGOs are often the ones pushing governments and corporations to do better. Global Witness, for example, has been exposing corruption in the oil, gas, and mining industries for decades. Their work led to the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), which now covers 55 countries and ensures that natural resource revenues benefit local communities. That’s billions of dollars being tracked and spent on things like schools and hospitals instead of lining the pockets of a few elites.
The ripple effects of all this are enormous. Better incomes mean families can afford to send their kids to school. Clean water means fewer diseases, so people can work instead of being sick. And when communities have a say in their development, they’re more likely to thrive in the long run. NGOs aren’t just filling gaps but building bridges to a more sustainable, fairer world.
Influence on Policy, Governance, and Advocacy
The relationship between the government and NGOs is intricate and often oscillates between tension and collaboration. Transparency International has exposed corruption in governments since 1993, and its Corruption Perceptions Index is a detailed and thorough analysis of an institution’s activities. Because of their work, countries like Georgia have cleaned up their act—bribery rates dropped by 50% in a decade. NGOs don’t just point fingers, though. They come armed with data and research, pushing for laws that help people. The Right to Information Act was born out of NGO pressure in India. Now, millions of people use it every year to hold their leaders accountable.
But it’s not just about calling out bad stuff. NGOs are also great at bringing people together. In Brazil, Instituto Igarapé works with communities to tackle violence and crime. They come up with solutions, like using data to map crime hotspots and working with police to make neighbourhoods safer.
At the Paris Climate Agreement, groups like 350.org ensured grassroots voices were heard, pushing for stronger commitments to cut emissions.
When it comes to peacebuilding, NGOs are often the ones keeping the conversation alive. In places like Colombia, Conciliation Resources helped broker talks between the government and rebel groups during the peace process. They’re neutral, they’re trusted, and they know how to navigate the messy politics that governments can’t always handle.
Environmental Stewardship and Cultural Preservation
Climate change is a huge problem, and NGOs are right in the middle of it. Groups like Greenpeace and WWF are constantly pushing for action, whether it’s saving forests or protecting endangered species. But it’s not just about protests—they’re also on the ground, working with communities.
In the Amazon, Amazon Watch supports Indigenous groups fighting to protect their land from deforestation. And it’s paying off: in 2022, they helped secure legal protections for over 2 million hectares of rainforest.
Cultural preservation is another big one. NGOs get that saving the planet isn’t just about trees and animals—it’s about people, too.
In Australia, the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation helps Aboriginal communities manage their traditional lands. By combining ancient knowledge with modern conservation, they’re protecting biodiversity while keeping cultures alive. It’s a win-win.
And let’s not forget the global networks. NGOs like Climate Action Network bring together over 1,900 groups from 130 countries to push for climate action. They’re the reason we have things like the Kigali Amendment, which aims to cut down on greenhouse gases from refrigerants. It’s proof that when NGOs team up, they can move mountains—or at least get world leaders to agree on something.
Conclusion
NGOs are an integral part of society that pushes for change in the right direction. We know that being an NGO is not easy, so at Equalall, we aim to ease their load. Donors and NGOs connect at Equalall to understand the world’s problems; anyone can help through our platform.