Our history

How our past shapes our purpose

Plan International’s 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 children’s 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.

A history of learning and change

Our beginnings

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 Plan’s work today.

Expanding opportunity

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 organization’s work expanded globally, it became known as Plan International, reflecting a broader mission and reach.

Centering girls’ rights

Over time, Plan deepened its understanding of inequality and the ways it affects girls differently. This led to a stronger focus on girls’ education, protection and leadership, recognizing that advancing girls’ 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.

How our past shapes our purpose

When girls are given the chance to lead, entire communities move forward.

Evolving toward systems change

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.

From programs to possibility

Plan was founded in 1937 during the Spanish Civil War to protect children affected by conflict, grounded in the belief that every child deserves safety, care and opportunity through long-term commitment. | © Plan International

Plan’s early days in New York

A telegram from Eric Muggeridge

“Thousands still remain scattered in Spain. Returning for more immediately. Fear wholesale deaths from cold and starvation unless brought into France” | ©Plan International

Eric Muggeridge

Eric Muggeridge leads displaced children to safety during World War II. His determination to protect children helped shape Plan International’s mission. | ©Plan International