Who we are
VENRO is the umbrella organisation of development and humanitarian non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Germany. The association was founded in 1995 and consists of around 150 organisations. Their backgrounds lie in independent and church-related development co-operation, humanitarian aid as well as development education, public relations and advocacy.
VENRO's central goal is to construct a just globalisation, with a special emphasis on eradicating global inequality and poverty. The organisation is committed to implementing human rights and conserving natural resources.
VENRO
• represents the interests of development and humanitarian aid NGOs vis-à-vis the government
• strengthens the role of NGOs and civil society in development co-operation and humanitarian aid
• sharpens public awareness of development co-operation, humanitarian issues and sustainable development
VENRO Strategy
The VENRO Strategy 2023 to 2028 was adopted at the members’ assembly on December 6th, 2022. The basis and starting point of the strategy are the VENRO statutes, which define both the mandate and the goals of the Association’s work.
“We – the VENRO member organisations – have joined together in the Association with the aim of strengthening our contribution to more justice in the One World. Our common mission is to optimally serve poverty reduction, the realisation of human rights and the conservation of natural resources.”
Downloads
VENRO Strategy (english)
VENRO-Statutes (english)
VENRO Strategic Focus 2026–2028
The framework conditions for international cooperation have become significantly more challenging. To enable VENRO to act even more effectively as a driving force and promoter of innovation in the fields of development cooperation, humanitarian aid, and global education work in this difficult environment, we as an association adopted a strategic refocusing of our work at the General Assembly in December 2025.
In our overview A Strong Voice for Global Responsibility, we summarize these new strategic priorities.