Plan Internationalās history reflects decades of learning, adaptation and partnership with communities around the world. While our work has evolved over time, our focus has remained the same: advancing childrenās rights and creating opportunities for girls to thrive.
For more than eight decades, Plan has adapted to a changing world while staying focused on what matters most: children, communities and opportunity.
Plan was founded in 1937 in response to the humanitarian crisis following the Spanish Civil War, with a focus on supporting children affected by conflict. From the beginning, the organization recognized that helping children recover and thrive required long-term commitment, care and opportunity, not short-term solutions.
The belief that children deserve protection and opportunity, continues to guide Planās work today.
In the decades that followed, Plan expanded its work to support children and families facing poverty, inequality and crisis around the world. Programs grew to address education, health and protection, shaped by close collaboration with communities and local partners.
As the organizationās work expanded globally, it became known as Plan International, reflecting a broader mission and reach.
Ā Over time, Plan deepened its understanding of inequality and the ways it affects girls differently. This led to a stronger focus on girlsā education, protection and leadership, recognizing that advancing girlsā rights is essential to creating lasting change for families and communities.
Plan’s focus on girls lead to the globally known campaign named Because I am a GIrl. This campaign reached millions of girls through direct programming and changing of laws to end practices like child marriage.
Plan Internationalās history reflects decades of learning, adaptation and partnership with communities around the world. While our work has evolved over time, our focus has remained the same: advancing childrenās rights and creating opportunities for girls to thrive.
When girls are given the chance to lead, entire communities move forward.
Today, Plan works to address the root causes of inequality by combining community-based programs with advocacy, youth leadership and evidence-informed approaches. Young people, especially girls, are partners in shaping solutions, not just recipients of support.
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