Social partnership (among civil society organizations, government and the private sector), social contracting and social enterprise development are key Counterpart International strategies for ensuring the credibility and financial viability of Civil Society Organizations over the long term.

Counterpart International (Counterpart) has published 28 global case studies and recommendations for establishing social partnership policies and procedures. Additionally, Counterpart has published a how-to manual for contracting with NGOs for service delivery to vulnerable populations.

Counterpart has fostered the creation and strengthening of over 60 social enterprises in Bulgaria, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan that provide needed revenue to support NGO missions and job creation. In partnership with the International Center for Not-for-profit Law (ICNL), Counterpart has assisted the government of Bulgaria, Armenia and Azerbaijan in creating grant making mechanisms to support NGO service delivery and community projects, and a legal framework for social contracting.

Photo: © Counterpart International.