The World Bank defines Non-Governmental Organisations as "private organizations that pursue activities to relieve suffering, promote the interests of the poor, protect the environment, provide basic social services, or undertake community development" (Operational Directive 14.70). In a wider sense NGOs are any non-profit organisations which are independent of governments. However most of the NGOs are professionally run in order to maximise their effectiveness in delivering aid and fundraising.

The two mains groupings of NGOs are, operational NGOs who are involved in the implementation related projects and advocacy NGOs who seek to defend a particular cause and influence the policies of governments and the World Bank. A large number of NGOs are involved in both operations and advocacy.

In this website we list organisations from every walk of life and we bring experiences from volunteers who have participated in various projects.

Featured Organisation

CIELO AZUL (www.cieloazul.ch )

Cielo Azul is an independent, non-religious and politically neutral non-governmental organization (NGO). It is working towards improving the living conditions of disadvantaged children and families in Ecuadorian communities (South America). Priorieties for this organization are children and Indigenous Population.

Cielo Azul (Blue Sky in Spanish) began working in Ecuador in the year 2000. Since then, various projects in more than 20 indigenous communities around Otavalo have been initiated.
It recognises that only projects that are designed together with the local communities and have their support have any chance of success. It supports volunteers willing to work and live with the communities where projects are established. Volunteers use their capabilities to the benefit of the indigenous population and, under expert guidance, Cielo Azul will help volunteers to find a suitable role in one of our various projects.

For volunteers: The length of the projects vary and volunteers should be available for at least two months and they are asked to give an one time donation of 100 Euros to the charity. Volunteers should contact the main office of Cielo Azul in Switzerland at the following address.

CIELO AZUL
Postfach 92, CH-4012 Basel, Switzerland, www.cieloazul.ch
Tel. 0041 (0)76 412 02 07 , cieloazul@gmx.ch

RSPB

ARCTUROS

Hellenic Ornithol.
Soc.

Hellenic Wildlife
Hospital

Save the
Children

Marine
Conserv. Soc.

Cheetah
Cons. Fund

Vultures - Croatia

Mediterranean
Seal

Cielo Azul

La Tortuga Feliz

The Wildlife Action Group