Hivos

A fair, free and sustainable world – that is what Hivos, the Humanist Institute for Development Cooperation, wants to contribute to. Together with local organisations in developing countries, Hivos strives for a world in which all citizens – both men and women – have equal access to resources and opportunities for development.
Hivos is a Dutch non-governmental organisation guided by humanist values. A number of its core values are human dignity and self determination, an aversion to dogmas and totalitarian regimes, and a sense of mutual solidarity. The organisation is committed to poor and marginalised peoples in Africa, Asia and Latin America. It strives for the long-term improvement of their circumstances and for the empowerment of women in particular.

The work of Hivos aims at structurally alleviating poverty, with an emphasis on civil society building and on sustainable economic development. The efforts of Hivos are focused on nine themes: financial services and business development; sustainable production; human rights and democratisation; HIV/AIDS; gender, women and development; art and culture; ICT & media; advocacy and communication; and the knowledge programme. You can read more about each one of these themes on this website.

Joining forces and pooling resources is crucial to achieve the objectives of Hivos. Hivos supports over 800 partner organisations in more than 30 countries through financial means and institutional support as well as the exchange of knowledge and experience. In addition, Hivos works together with a number of organisations, companies and governments in the Netherlands and Europe, and it belongs to various national and international networks. Hivos also conducts advocacy activities itself in the Netherlands, throughout Europe and worldwide.

Hivos is a non-governmental organisation with a societal goal which plays a public role. Hivos is one of the four largest organisations in the ‘co-financing system’ of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Dutch general public, the Dutch government, other sponsors, partners and partner organisations in developing countries are the most important stakeholders.

Hivos is ISO certified; it has the CBF quality mark and is one of the beneficiaries of the Dutch National Postcode Lottery.