Plan International

History

Plan International was founded in 1937, during the Spanish Civil War, by British journalist John Langdon-Davies and aid worker Eric Muggeridge. Eric was one of five brothers, including journalist and satirist Malcolm Muggeridge. Plan International was founded as "Foster Parents Plan for Children in Spain".

During World War II, the organisation became known as "Foster Parents Plan for War Children" and worked in England. After the war, Plan International extended aid to children in France, Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, Greece and briefly in Poland, Czechoslovakia and China. Plan International gradually moved out of these countries. It became "Foster Parents Plan Inc.".

In 1962, U.S. First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy was honorary chairwoman during the Plan's Silver Jubilee.

In 1974, the global name became Plan International, as programs now spanned South America, Asia and Africa. In the 1980s, Belgium, Germany, Japan and the UK became donor countries. Plan International was recognised by the United Nations Economic and Social Council.

In 2017, Plan International launched a new "International Global Strategy 2017–2022". The traditional blue logo was updated.

Funding and accountability

According to Plan International's report, the organisation's income comes from supporters; the remainder is raised through donations and grants. An average of 80% of this money goes to Plan International’s work. The remainder is spent on initiatives and maintaining an international network of support staff.

The organisation receives funding from a range of multilateral institutions to implement grants, such as from the UK's Department for International Development (DFID), the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and other multilateral agencies.

Plan International adheres to several international standards and quality assurance mechanisms including the International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGO) Commitment to Accountability Charter and the Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and NGOs in Disaster Relief.

Awards

• 2016 – The Global Awards: Plan International Sierra Leone Wins Global Awards.
• 2017 – Third Sector Awards: The project that has had a substantial impact on national or international life.
• 2019 – PR Daily Grand Prize as Media Relations Campaign of the Year: Plan International's Gender Equality survey received an award.
• 2022 – CORPHUB, Hong Kong: Plan International Hong Kong received several awards for its efforts for Children’s Rights, e.g. Most Outstanding International Child Care Charity Organisation of the Year.

Notable people

Notable endorsers associated with Plan International include Jacqueline Kennedy, David Elliot, Beau Bridges, Dina Eastwood, Scott Bakula and Nicholas D. Kristof. In 2015, Mo'ne Davis teamed up with the brand M4D3 (Make A Difference Everyday) to design a line of sneakers for girls, with some of the proceeds going toward Plan International’s Because I Am a Girl campaign. Suman Pokhrel worked for Plan International Nepal as an employee joining the organisation in 1998.

Anil Kapoor, who starred in Danny Boyle's film Slumdog Millionaire, is an ambassador for Plan India. He donated his entire fee for the movie to the NGO's Universal Birth Registration campaign. Slumdog Millionaire stars Dev Patel and Freida Pinto were among the cast members who attended a screening of the film at Somerset House in London, where over £2,000 was raised for Plan’s work in Mumbai, the setting of the film.

The organisation was featured in the 2002 film About Schmidt.

References

References

1. "Plan-international.org". Plan-international.org.
2. "Plan International Worldwide Annual Review 2024".
3. Source: Content partner // Plan International. (2011-01-06). "'What Haiti needs now - "Safety, schooling and jobs", says Plan' | Reuters AlertNet". Trust.org.
4. Source: member // Plan UK. (2011-03-31). "'Devastation caused by Colombian floods worse than feared' | Reuters AlertNet". Trust.org.
5. Source: member // Plan UK. (2011-03-29). "Japan: Plan reaches out to families in evacuation centres | Reuters AlertNet". Trust.org.
6. "History of Plan International Canada".
7. "100 Million Reasons". Plan International.
8. "Plan Worldwide Annual Review and Combined Financial Statements 2021". Plan International.
9. "Plan Worldwide Annual review and Combined Financial Statements 2021".
10. "Our Grant Partners". Plan International.
11. "INGO Accountability Charter member organisations". Ingoaccountabilitycharter.org.
12. "ICRC Code of Conduct signatories".
13. "Plan International Sierra Leone Wins Global Awards".
14. (September 22, 2017). "Third Sector Awards 2017: Big Impact Award - Plan International UK".
15. "Plan International USA Wins PR Daily Grand Prize as Media Relations Campaign of the Year".
16. (2022-05-03). "Plan International Hong Kong Honored with Several Awards In Recognition of Its Efforts on Advancing Children's Rights".
17. (28 October 2010). "Plan International USA - Plan to change the world".
18. (19 April 2009). "Changing Lives, Mitt by Mitt". The New York Times.
19. Erin Clements. (March 18, 2015). "Little League star Mo'ne Davis designs sneaker line to benefit impoverished girls - News". TODAY.com.
20. link. Pravin. Bania. (26 Sep 2015)
21. "Plan India".
22. (2009-03-17). "Anil Kapoor donates Slumdog pay cheque to Plan India | Top News India". Topnews.in.
23. (July 2024). "Slumdog Millionaire – Summer Screen raises funds for Plan". Plan UK.