Concern Worldwide Strategic Plan 2026 - 2030

This strategic plan is built on Concern’s track record of implementing high quality programmes over nearly 60 years. It is informed by our commitment to do as much as we can, as well as we can, for as many as we can, for as long as we can. The plan ensures that we will continue to go where the needs are greatest, and work to save lives, protect and develop livelihoods, support recovery, and build long-term resilience. It builds on our legacy and advances the ambition and intent of our organisational Policy Statement which is presented in section two.

The fragile contexts in which we operate are characterised by increasing levels of need and reduced funding. As part of a wider pattern of reduced support for multilateral action, support for official development assistance (ODA) is in decline, and being further undermined by geo-political turbulence. The number and intensity of conflicts are increasing, reaching a level not seen since the end of World War II, and are characterised by a decline in both adherence to international humanitarian law and the space for principled programming by civil society actors, including non-governmental organisations (NGOs). The numbers of people living in extreme poverty, experiencing hunger and malnutrition, and dependent on humanitarian aid, are expected to continue to rise in the coming years, especially in countries most impacted by conflict and climate change. Therefore, Concern’s mission and focus are more urgent, relevant and essential than ever.

Facing this unprecedented level of challenge and need, Concern is well positioned to continue to make a meaningful contribution to addressing extreme poverty and humanitarian need in fragile countries. 

Our added value lies in our long-term commitment to working in fragile countries as this is where needs are greatest. We are committed to working with people most affected by extreme poverty and crises, building trust through the delivery of high quality, community driven and accountable programmes. We support locally led programming, the strengthening of local systems, and equitable partnerships.

The challenging geopolitical and funding context faced by the aid sector means that, over the course of the plan, we will need to retain the flexibility to adapt and
make difficult decisions on how to best focus our resources to advance our mission. Our resolute focus will remain on continuously monitoring and strengthening the quality of our programming to ensure maximum impact for the people and communities with whom we work.

We cannot carry out our work without public and political support for ending extreme poverty. As such, we will prioritise leveraging our expertise and impact, mobilising public and political support to end extreme poverty. 

Quality funding allows us to programme in a principled, community centred and needs based manner, facilitating the greatest impact for those furthest behind in fragile countries. We will therefore prioritise diversifying and optimising quality funding that supports our mission. 

We cannot do this without the exceptional people working with us. Our organisational culture is widely recognised as one of our key strengths, but we know that to navigate these challenging times effectively, strengthening our inclusive, empowering and safe culture is vital and will support and facilitate our excellent people to work effectively.

The priorities presented here must be underpinned by ongoing sound and accountable leadership, and risk and resource management, appropriately balancing the most impactful use of resources with retaining financial robustness. 

To help to end extreme poverty, we will support communities to tell their stories and share their experiences, and we will document evidence and present learning of what works.

While the contexts in which we work are challenging, we remain committed to using our resources to maximise the impact of all of our interventions. Everyone who works with Concern has an important role to play in supporting our organisational culture and delivering on our vision and mission. 

We are fortunate to belong to a community of thousands of supporters across the globe who share our belief in a world where all people live in peace and prosperity and are treated equally, with dignity and respect in a better and safer world.