Dates: March 10 & 11, 2025, Time: 9AM-12PM

In 2022, we hosted our first commemoration of World NGO Day, which has been internationally recognised and celebrated on February 27 since its establishment in 2014 in Europe. According to World NGO Day founders, the purpose of the day is “to inspire people to become more actively involved within the NGO sector and encourage a greater symbiosis between NGOs and both the public and private sector.” You can learn more about World NGO Day here!

This is the fourth virtual edition of the event in as many years to be led by the Foundation through this dedicated civil society platform, in collaboration with various non-profit actors.

Our 2025 theme: S.O.S! Securing our space: Uniting for civic resilience

While the official 2025 theme of the international commemoration focuses on “Empowering Grassroots Movements for a Sustainable Future,” we have chosen to underscore the importance of protecting civic space. This, as we actively pursue the development, promotion and adoption of tools and frameworks to enhance the sector’s operations, governance and overall accountability.

Our theme was intentionally selected against the backdrop of clear signals of existential challenges for civil society organisations and movements engaged in advancing and protecting civic participation in the development agenda. While this reality may be more pressing in the US context, it presents an early warning signal, and, by extension, an opportunity for us in the Caribbean to prepare to respond to these challenges.

What does it mean to “secure our space” in this time, especially in an election year in T&T? And how do we measure and monitor the sector’s resilience in the face of changing tides, politically, socially, economically? Perhaps, most importantly, what is needed for us to cultivate more strategic and effective collaboration?

World NGO Day 2025 objectives

1. To help build solidarity among the diverse groups and organisations operating in and supporting local (and regional) civil society.
2. To share knowledge and tools aimed at improving the delivery and impact of CSOs’ good work.
3. To facilitate local civil society actors strategising and mobilising efforts across thematic areas of research, action and advocacy in the context of the forthcoming TT general election.

Programme highlights

Workshops

With the rapidly changing nature of work and engagement with the various audiences targeted by CSOs, this year’s event will focus on building capacity in areas that are not simply relevant to present times, but vital to planning for and addressing challenges of the foreseeable future. Participants will have the opportunity to dive into one of three exciting areas led by our expert facilitators.

1. AI for non-profits: maximising tools for management
2. Foresighting: an approach to brainstorming and planning actions and workstreams
3. Narratives: why we need them and how we create them

Panel discussions

Panel 1: Election time again: does the opportunity to engage outweigh the risk?

The natural increase in political engagement in a general election year does not guarantee an elevation in the quality of the national public discourse on important issues of governance and more. What is the role of civil society in advancing questions of social, environmental or economic interest to the wider society? Is the sector prepared to help shape the national conversation and hold current and would-be parliamentary representatives accountable on key issues? What are the risks involved and how do we mitigate them? Join us for a thought-provoking discussion with TT-based civil society actors, moderated by journalist Soyini Grey.

Panel 2: Trust: the cornerstone of movement building? A dialogue with regional NGO leaders.

Many of our Caribbean territories are confronting similar challenges intersecting across the economy, security, health, politics and climate change impacts. Civil society is not exempt. Some might argue the pressure is on our sector to help mitigate the fall-out from expanding inequality. What are the barriers preventing the region’s civil society actors and organisations from coordinating efforts more effectively? To what extent is a lack of trust among Caribbean people a factor? And just how important is trust to civil society’s development and impact in the region? Join us for a probing dialogue among regional civil society actors, moderated by TCF CEO Cherisse Braithwaite-Joseph.

NGO Strategising Sessions

The international fall-out from the dramatic shifts in the US political landscape in just over one month, is already resonating in various quarters locally. Recognising the practical challenges CSOs are facing, with a General Election looming, we are dedicating this space to more direct engagement around the issues of the day. We are inviting all concerned CSO representatives to join us in this guided brainstorm/exploration of how our sector can organise to champion these issues among the priorities of the upcoming election season.

Register here to take part in our virtual World NGO Day 2025: https://csogo.tt/ngoday2025/