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Civil SocietyKnowledge Base

Reference

Global CSO directory

49 major civil society organizations and NGOs — filter by type and region, or search by name. A starting map of who does what in the sector.

49 organizations

Access Now

Defends the digital rights of users at risk and campaigns against internet shutdowns and surveillance.

civic tech New York, United States · est. 2009
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Amnesty International

AI

Campaigns to protect human rights and free prisoners of conscience worldwide.

human rights London, United Kingdom · est. 1961
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ARTICLE 19

Defends and promotes freedom of expression and freedom of information around the world.

press freedom London, United Kingdom · est. 1987
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Association for Democratic Reforms

ADR

Advocates electoral and political reforms and publishes data on candidates in Indian elections.

transparency New Delhi, India · est. 1999
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Association for Women's Rights in Development

AWID

Supports feminist movements worldwide to advance gender equality and women's rights.

womens rights Toronto, Canada · est. 1982
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Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Private foundation funding global health, development and US education programs.

philanthropy Seattle, United States · est. 2000
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BRAC

One of the world's largest development organizations, tackling poverty across Asia and Africa.

development Dhaka, Bangladesh · est. 1972
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CARE International

CARE

Delivers emergency relief and long-term development, with a focus on women and girls.

humanitarian Geneva, Switzerland · est. 1945
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Center for Legal and Social Studies

CELS

Argentine human rights group promoting memory, truth and justice and defending democratic rights.

human rights Buenos Aires, Argentina · est. 1979
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Centre for Science and Environment

CSE

Research and advocacy think tank on environment and development issues in India.

environment New Delhi, India · est. 1980
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CIVICUS

Global alliance strengthening citizen action and civil society around the world.

network Johannesburg, South Africa · est. 1993
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CLEEN Foundation

Promotes public safety, security and accessible justice through research and advocacy in Nigeria.

human rights Lagos, Nigeria · est. 1998
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Committee to Protect Journalists

CPJ

Defends the rights of journalists and documents attacks on the press worldwide.

press freedom New York, United States · est. 1981
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Conectas Direitos Humanos

Brazilian organization defending human rights from a Global South perspective.

human rights São Paulo, Brazil · est. 2001
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Doctors Without Borders

MSF

Provides emergency medical care to people affected by conflict, epidemics and disasters.

humanitarian Geneva, Switzerland · est. 1971
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Ford Foundation

Grantmaking philanthropy working to reduce inequality and advance social justice worldwide.

philanthropy New York, United States · est. 1936
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Freedom House

Researches and advocates for democracy, political freedom and human rights globally.

human rights Washington, D.C., United States · est. 1941
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Ghana Center for Democratic Development

CDD-Ghana

Independent think tank promoting democratic governance and accountability in Ghana.

transparency Accra, Ghana · est. 1998
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Global Witness

Investigates links between natural resource exploitation, conflict and corruption.

transparency London, United Kingdom · est. 1993
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Greenpeace

Campaigns worldwide on climate, forests, oceans and against nuclear and toxic threats.

environment Amsterdam, Netherlands · est. 1971
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Human Rights Watch

HRW

Investigates and reports on human rights abuses to hold governments accountable.

human rights New York, United States · est. 1978
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IFEX

Global network of organizations defending and promoting freedom of expression.

network Toronto, Canada · est. 1992
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International Center for Not-for-Profit Law

ICNL

Works to improve the legal environment for civil society and civic freedoms worldwide.

network Washington, D.C., United States · est. 1992
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International Committee of the Red Cross

ICRC

Protects and assists victims of armed conflict under international humanitarian law.

humanitarian Geneva, Switzerland · est. 1863
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International Planned Parenthood Federation

IPPF

Provides sexual and reproductive health care and rights advocacy in over 140 countries.

health London, United Kingdom · est. 1952
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International Rescue Committee

IRC

Responds to humanitarian crises and helps refugees rebuild lives and communities.

humanitarian New York, United States · est. 1933
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International Trade Union Confederation

ITUC

World's largest trade union federation representing workers' interests globally.

labor Brussels, Belgium · est. 2006
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Kenya Human Rights Commission

KHRC

Promotes and protects human rights and democratic governance in Kenya.

human rights Nairobi, Kenya · est. 1992
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MacArthur Foundation

Grantmaking foundation supporting justice, conservation and creative work worldwide.

philanthropy Chicago, United States · est. 1970
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mySociety

Builds online tools that help citizens engage with democracy and hold power to account.

civic tech United Kingdom · est. 2003
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Open Society Foundations

OSF

Grantmaking network funding justice, democratic governance and human rights initiatives.

philanthropy New York, United States · est. 1993
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Oxfam International

Confederation of NGOs working to end poverty and injustice worldwide.

development Nairobi, Kenya · est. 1942
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PATH

Global health nonprofit advancing health technologies, vaccines and disease programs.

health Seattle, United States · est. 1977
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Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism

PCIJ

Nonprofit media organization producing investigative and accountability reporting.

press freedom Quezon City, Philippines · est. 1989
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Pratham

Improves the quality of education for underprivileged children across India.

education Mumbai, India · est. 1995
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Reporters Without Borders

RSF

Defends press freedom and publishes the annual World Press Freedom Index.

press freedom Paris, France · est. 1985
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Room to Read

Promotes children's literacy and girls' education in low-income communities.

education San Francisco, United States · est. 2000
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Save the Children

Works to improve the lives of children through health, education and emergency relief.

humanitarian London, United Kingdom · est. 1919
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Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project

SERAP

Uses human rights law to fight corruption and promote accountability in Nigeria.

transparency Lagos, Nigeria · est. 2004
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Solidarity Center

Supports workers worldwide in building unions and advancing labor rights.

labor Washington, D.C., United States · est. 1997
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The Nature Conservancy

TNC

Conserves lands and waters on which nature and people depend across the globe.

environment Arlington, United States · est. 1951
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Transparency International

TI

Fights corruption globally and publishes the annual Corruption Perceptions Index.

transparency Berlin, Germany · est. 1993
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Transparency International Zambia

TIZ

Zambian chapter fighting corruption and promoting integrity and accountability.

transparency Lusaka, Zambia · est. 2000
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Treatment Action Campaign

TAC

South African activist group campaigning for access to HIV treatment and care.

health Cape Town, South Africa · est. 1998
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Ushahidi

Builds open-source crowdsourcing and crisis-mapping tools to empower communities.

civic tech Nairobi, Kenya · est. 2008
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WaterAid

International charity providing clean water, sanitation and hygiene to communities.

development London, United Kingdom · est. 1981
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Wikimedia Foundation

WMF

Nonprofit hosting Wikipedia and supporting free knowledge projects worldwide.

civic tech San Francisco, United States · est. 2003
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WITNESS

Helps people use video and technology to document and defend human rights.

human rights Brooklyn, United States · est. 1992
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World Wide Fund for Nature

WWF

One of the world's largest conservation organizations, protecting wildlife and habitats.

environment Gland, Switzerland · est. 1961
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