Established in 2003, Plan Ireland is part of Plan International which itself was founded over 70 years ago. It is an independent organisation with no religious, political or governmental affiliations.

Plan is one of the oldest and largest international development agencies in the world. It currently works in 48 developing countries across Africa, Asia and the Americas directly supporting more than 1,500,000 children and their families, and an estimated 9,000,000 others living in communities working with Plan.

Plan Ireland receives tremendous support from the Irish public over 8,500 of whom sponsor children.

Vision

Plan’s vision is of a world in which all children realise their full potential in societies which respect people’s rights and dignities.

Approach

Plan’s Approach - Plan adopts a child centred community development (CCCD) approach in all its work which has as its central tenet that children, families and communities are encouraged and enabled to become active and leading participants in their own development. 

This approach enhances their ability and opportunity to work together with others to address the causes and consequences of child poverty at all levels. Plan’s CCCD approach is guided by the UN’s Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Mission

Plan’s Mission - Plan strives to achieve lasting improvements in the quality of life of deprived children in developing countries through a process that unites people across cultures and adds meaning and value to their lives by:

• Enabling deprived children, their families and their communities to meet their basic needs and to increase their ability to participate in and benefit from their societies.

• Building relationships to increase understanding and unity among people of different cultures and countries.

• Promoting the rights and interests of the world’s children.

Support for Plan

Plan Ireland also receives support from corporate donors and the Irish Government through the Irish Aid programme. This support enables us to focus on long term development projects covering health, education, habitat, livelihood and relationship building. Projects include anti-child trafficking programmes, support for orphans and vulnerable children, child media projects and support for street children.