Counterpart International (Counterpart) builds the capacity of organizations to advocate effectively on behalf of their constituents. Counterpart works with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to engage government at the local level to be more responsive to citizens' needs and at the national level for policy freeform. Skills transferred to local organizations include:

• Issue identification
• Community organizing
• Constituency and coalition building
• Policy research and dialogue
• Implementation of public awareness campaigns
• Campaign monitoring and evaluation 

Counterpart's approach supports constructive engagement with government to achieve mutually beneficial results.
 
Outcomes of Counterpart's programs have included: progressive legislation and regulations governing the rights of people with disabilities, women and children; consumer rights; and democratic reforms, such as support for local government strengthening (e.g. decentralization).

Examples:

• In Kyrgyzstan, Counterpart coordinated the election activities of the leading civil society organizations in the 2005 presidential elections – catalyzing a nationwide civic campaign 'I Am for Fair Elections,' the first coordinated, nationwide public awareness campaign in support of open and democratic elections. A coalition of 120 NGOs successfully advocated for the repeal of Decree 20, which restricted freedom of speech and religious conscience.
• In Kazakhstan, advocacy efforts resulted in more comprehensive guidelines for disability rehabilitation and increased funding for disability NGOs from $2 million to $27 million.
• In Armenia, Counterpart-supported NGOs organized and conducted a letter writing campaign to stop the advancement of a controversial draft law on lobbying. The campaign included participation from more than 100 NGOs from all over Armenia and was highlighted on several occasions by various parliamentary faction representatives and opposition leaders. As a result of the effective campaign, the government and the parliament agreed to postpone the consideration of the draft until the spring legislative session.

Photo: © Counterpart International.