Luxembourg's development NGOs are undergoing a major reform requiring them to work together in thematic consortia for awareness and education projects, which has sparked concerns about workload and collaboration, but is accompanied by increased future funding and the creation of a long-awaited 'Maison des ONG'.

Raising awareness about international cooperation work through school visits or public events is nothing new in Luxembourg, but the way NGOs carry out this mission is changing. Until now, most organisations worked independently, each submitting and implementing their own projects. Under a new reform from the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, NGOs will now be required to collaborate in thematic consortia, representing a major shift that initially drew criticism from many in the sector.

According to the director of the Cooperation Circle of NGOs in Luxembourg, Nicole Ikuku, the value of NGO involvement in schools goes beyond classroom lessons. She explained that it is not just about theory or content but about bringing lived experiences into the classroom, such as the realities of partner organisations in the Global South, with whom Luxembourg NGOs have built long-standing partnerships.

Previously, each NGO submitted its own project proposals. The new framework, however, encourages collaboration through three to six thematic consortia. While some in the sector had prior experience working together, the scope of the reform raised concerns, according to Ikuku. She recalled that there were fears of being "forced into partnerships" that might not make sense strategically, stressing that collaboration must be built around shared goals and clear added value.

In the end, nine consortia were formed, according to Ikuku. However, around one-third of NGOs chose not to participate, either because they did not identify with the new structure or lacked the staff capacity to join. The new system is now slowly being rolled out, but, as Ikuku admitted, many NGOs are exhausted. She pointed out that the reform required a complete restructuring within just one year, a process that took at least five years in Belgium and is still evolving there ten years later, she said.

One of the biggest challenges ahead will be proving the concrete impact of these activities. NGOs will now have to demonstrate measurable outcomes. For example, NGOs will have to show whether students later organised their own awareness events. The Cooperation Circle would have preferred to see this evaluation carried out by an external body.

Financially, the sector's awareness-raising budget decreased from €4.8 million in 2023 to €4.5 million in 2025. However, allocations are expected to rise to €5 million in 2026 and reach €6 million by 2029.

There was nonetheless good news for the sector: the long-awaited Maison des ONG – the House of NGOS, a shared physical space for NGOs – is finally becoming reality. Located at 55 Avenue de la Liberté, the space is due to open either at the end of this year or early next year, with an annual state budget allocation of €600,000 to support its operation.