Worldwide, more than 10 million NGOs provide essential services to over 1 billion people.

For over a century, millions of NGOs have rallied behind the ideals of peace and justice, striving to make the world a better place. They have addressed humanitarian crises, ensured access to clean and sanitised water, fought hunger and poverty, provided healthcare, defended against the shrinking of space for civil society, democratised education, supported refugees, responded to violence against women, tackled climate change, protected human rights, and curbed human trafficking. Their collective impact has built global peace and justice, preventing conflicts, sustaining peace, and safeguarding humanity.

Today, amid the digital revolution accelerated by AI, the ambition to respond to global crises is at critical risk. Cyber has become a new battleground and NGOs are amongst the most vulnerable in the digital space. They are increasingly targeted by cyberattacks and disinformation but lack the technology, talent, and funding to address these threats.

But they are in danger.

Cybersecurity and AI in the Age of Cyberattacks and Disinformation

Leaders of NGOs are now calling publicly for their digital safety to be a priority. When organisations like WaterAid, Doctors without Borders, Transparency International, Wikimedia Foundation, Save the Children, or Reporters without Borders raise the alarm, the world must listen. High-risk communities need the world’s cybersecurity support to perform their crucial role for our global society.

We need leadership, coordination among supporters, proper access to cutting edge technologies (e.g AI), and scalable funding.

The Common Good Cyber initiative, launched in February 2024, is a crucial step toward creating the lasting change we need, especially dedicated funding for cybersecurity for the common good.

Answering the Call of History

125 years ago, during the 2nd Industrial Revolution, world leaders gathered in The Hague to seek global solutions for a peaceful future. 125 years later, we take stock of what is done to secure NGOs, and bring the ambition to another level. Private and corporate philanthropies have paved the way, such as Craig Newmark Philanthropies, Ford Foundation, Microsoft Philanthropies, Okta4Good, the William & Flora Hewlett Foundation, or the Cyber Secure The Hague program in the Netherlands. Nevertheless, NGOs’ demand for cybersecurity and AI expertise exceeds the available capacity.

In this time of urgency, leaders of NGOs, donors, impact investors, civil servants, cybersecurity experts, researchers, diplomats and representatives of international organisations are launching the BEYOND125 Action Plan. It builds upon existing calls and frameworks such as the Accra Call for Cyber Resilient Development, the Paris Call for Trust and Security in Cyberspace, the UN Pact for the Future and its Global Digital Compact.

As we reflect on the past 125 years, we commit to make an impact now and not wait another century. Thanks to technological advances, such as the acceleration of AI and the crowdsourcing and creation of talent pools, we are confident that we can achieve change rapidly. We have set a timeline of 125 hours, 125 days and 125 weeks to realise critical milestones. Within 125 weeks, we aim to have a critical mass of NGOs protected by cybersecurity tools, services and platforms, and empowered to leverage AI for good.

The BEYOND125 Action Plan

125 HOURS

First Milestone

Outreach

    • Secure a critical mass of organizations to support the BEYOND125 Action Plan.

    • Raise awareness of the Action Plan among NGOs, civil society organizations, donors, and governments.

    • Gain endorsements and pledges (financial or in-kind) from interested partners.

    • Public endorsements and pledges from organizations, making them signatories to the Action Plan.

    • Financial contributions or provision of shared cybersecurity services and tools.

    • Offering pro bono advice, discounted technology, advocacy, and exposure for the plan.

    • Mobilizing personal networks, providing a volunteer workforce, threat intelligence, and analytical capacity to support NGO digital resilience.

125 DAYS

Second Milestone

Engagement and Analysis

    • Document and analyze cyberattacks and disinformation against NGOs, measure their impact, and highlight violations of norms and laws.

    • Build a network of local governments, donors, and philanthropic programs to assess and support NGO cybersecurity needs.

    • Explore the potential for pooled funding to enhance NGO digital resilience and leverage AI.

    • Publicly document and analyze the harm caused by cyberattacks on NGOs.

    • Engage with stakeholders like local governments, major donors, and existing philanthropic programs to assess and address cybersecurity needs.

    • Map philanthropic efforts and explore the creation of a pooled impact fund, coordinated with other funds, to deliver shared cybersecurity tools and services to NGOs, guided by a global advisory committee.

ANNIVERSARY

Third Milestone

Advocacy

    • Publish a comprehensive global analysis of NGO cybersecurity and AI needs, with actionable recommendations for funding and policy.

    • Provide NGOs with tools and guidance to navigate the digital age.

    • Secure new philanthropic commitments to support NGO cybersecurity and responsible AI use.

    • Release a global analysis and "digital compass" for NGOs.

    • Announce new philanthropic commitments, including the potential launch of a dedicated cybersecurity and AI fund.

    • Ensure at least 1,000 NGOs gain access to sustainable cybersecurity solutions and AI-driven resilience.

125 WEEKS

Fourth Milestone

Impact

    • Ensure 10,000 NGOs have sustainable cybersecurity and AI-driven resilience.

    • Reduce the harm of cyberattacks and disinformation against NGOs.

    • Enhance NGO operational capacity to serve vulnerable communities and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals.

    • Scale cybersecurity access and AI tools for 10,000 NGOs.

    • Strengthen NGO capacity to mitigate cyber threats and improve resilience.

TAKE ACTION

JOIN THE COMMUNITY

  • Within the first 125 hours of implementing the BEYOND125 action plan, we will publish the list of our supporters and contributors.

    Should you want to support the BEYOND125 action plan, contact us.