Launching an NGO or social entreprise can feel daunting, especially for young people not expert in the field. If you’ve ever asked how to start an NGO, our Youth Eco‑Activism in the EU platform has you covered! You will find country‑specific step‑by‑step guidelines free to download and designed with young changemakers in mind.
Step 1 – Brainstorming
The first step to create an NGO or social entreprise is to understand its vision, purpose and name. Our “Brainstorming Guidelines for the Creation of an NGO” walks you through every stage:
- Naming & Mission Crafting: Find a purpose
- Problem‑Solution Mapping: Pinpoint the target groups and the community need
- Sustainable Funding Paths: Explore EU grants and local sponsorship
- Team Design & Communication Plans: Build roles, workflows and outreach
- Impact Metrics & Evaluation: Set clear, measurable goals
This template is perfect for solo planning or as a group exercise in schools and youth centres.
Step 2 – Launching
The second step is to launch the NGO. Our “Guide on how to start an NGO in Ireland” includes clear and useful guidelines on:
- Legal Forms & Draft Statutes
• Understand which organisation type to open - Document Templates & Registration Checklists
• Use formal templates for submissions
• Follow a clear checklist to register your NGO with local authorities - Agency & Support Database
• Access contact details for government bodies - Bank Account Setup
• Discover what documents you’ll need
• Learn best practices for transparent account management - Initial Operations & Team Building
• Tips on recruiting members, defining roles and running your first activities
• Guidance on securing seed funding through grants, community donations or crowdfunding
You can also download country-specific guidelines for other countries on the platform.
On our platform, you will also find useful suggestions on:
- Management & Collaboration Tools
• Get hands‑on with Trello, Notion or STRATWS One to keep tasks on track
• Use Slack or Microsoft Teams for seamless communication and G Suite for secure file sharing - Financial Management Solutions
• Choose from user‑friendly accounting apps (Wave, Xero, Zoho), expense trackers (FreshBooks, Expensify) and shared‑finance tools (Splitwise, Tricount)
What else? Get Inspired by our Youth NGOs
Our Youth NGOs gallery features dozens of innovative ideas from youth participants, proving that how to start an NGO is within your reach. Browse these snapshots and reach out to us for mentoring, networking and practical support.
Ready to Make a Change?
- Brainstorm your idea solo or with peers
- Launch your NGO or social entreprise following the steps outlined in the guide
- Pick management & finance tools that suit your scale
- Involve your community
Whether you’re planning a local clean‑up crew or setting up a social enterprise, our platform is your launchpad and our experience can help you!
Need More Support?
Whether you’re a young person willing to start your business or a youth worker/teacher willing to guide their young people in such topics, reach out to our team for guidance and collaboration!
Stay tuned on our upcoming Erasmus+ international opportunities and join our local workshops to network with fellow young leaders, sharpen your skills and exchange best practices. All information will be published on our Facebook and Instagram pages!