1937 Plan was founded as "Foster Parents Plan for Children in Spain" to provide food, accommodation and education to children whose lives had been disrupted by the Spanish Civil War.

1940s Following the outbreak of the Second World War, Plan extended its work to include displaced children from the worst parts of war-torn Europe. This extension of its services was reflected in the change of its name to "Foster Parents Plan for War Children".

1950s The reduced need in Europe led to exploration of new horizons to broaden our range of work. A new name (Plan International) and a new identity (an aim to bring constructive, lasting change to the lives of children in need whatever their circumstances) fuelled the engine that has now launched our organization towards helping over one million Sponsored Children, their families and communities.

Today Plan (the new name for Plan International) is one of the largest and leading child-centred development organizations working on behalf of children throughout the world. Raising money from 1 million sponsors in 21 countries/regions and obtaining grants through various channels like governments, enterprises, foundations and individuals, we are working with more than 1.3 million Sponsored Children, their families and communities in 48 developing countries in Africa, Asia, South and Central America, and the Caribbean to help children realize their full potential. Child Centred Community Development is how we approach our aims and development work. It is a rights-based approach in which children, families and communities are active and leading participants in their own development.

Plan in China

Plan China started working in China in May 1995. Our first projects began in Yanqing County, in the northwest of Beijing. In Yanqing we gained experience in improving agriculture, health, school buildings and infrastructure, sanitation and environmental protection.