PEN is registered as an NGO with the NGO Coordination Board of Kenya (December 1, 2001) PEN was founded to strengthen not-for-profit groups and organizations across the entire field of civil culture throughout East Africa. Issues to be addressed include internal capacity to deliver, account for resources, demonstrate tangible results, governance, leadership. PEN formed to ensure a thriving sector

PEN begins its operations on November 4, 2002. PEN’s unique development model geared at strengthening community institutions as pillars for community development is launched. Dr. John Batten appointed as the first Director General of PEN.

PEN moves its offices to the 4th floor of the AACC building (October 2003).

A Memorandum of Understanding is signed with CREADIS as potential partners in Capacity building programme (February 2004). PEN begins working with the NGO Co-ordination Board and successive NGO Councils to improve their respective governance. PEN’s website is launched in September 2004. The first annual report and accounts covering the period November 2002 to November 2003 is published. Draft manuals for Finance, Human Resource, Administration and Operations approved by the Board. PEN launches its first Strategic Plan (2004 to 2007). Australian embassy grant Pilot program in lower eastern – community organizing, environmental changes

Formal commencement of the expansion of PEN’s NGO Organizational Development programme is initiated. PEN is officially launched (December 2005).

PEN sets up a Resource Centre solely for PEN partners, Associate Consultants, Students and other interested individuals. Phase 1 of the Kenya Competence and Sustainability Programme (KCS CSP) project begins. This phase resulted into two publications: (1) Publication illustrating quality standards for CSOs, a list of the capacity building organizations that are available to the civil society sector in the country, and the gaps in training opportunities; (2) Publication on examples of good and mutually rewarding Government and CSO collaborations in Kenya.

Supports the planning of the ‘NGO Week’ events in 2007. PEN transforms itself into an International NGO to accommodate its emerging regional presence. The Board has approved further expansion into Rwanda, Burundi and Southern Sudan. PEN implements the ‘Strengthening Governance and Strategy of the Kenyan NGO Board and Council’ project to strengthen coordination and cooperation between, and to strengthen good governance practice within the NGO Board and the NGO Council. Phase 2 of Kenya Competence and Sustainability Programme (KCS CSP) project is implemented leading to the development of three important documents: Kenya CSO Code of Practice; CSO Standards; and CSO Self-Assessment (OCA) Tool.

A CSO Leaders Reference Group initiates a CSO driven review process of the NGO Coordination Act (1990). PEN is mandated to providing the secretariat services to this process. It was agreed during Phase 3 of the Kenya Competence and Sustainability Programme (KCS CSP) project to establish a new institution called ‘Viwango’ (Viwango is Kiswahili word for standards). PEN became the secretariat.

Civil Society Organizations Standards developed, with Viwango being formed to take ownership of CSOs to comply with the standards.

Viwango received its registration certificate from the office of the registrar of companies (April, 2011).