We put local communities at the center
Counterpart supports communities—leaders, organizations, and networks—to work together in shaping governance institutions, systems, and practices that are more fair, inclusive, transparent, accountable, and effective.
Democracies need everyone’s voice
For more than 55 years, Counterpart has partnered with local leaders, organizations, and networks to transform their communities. By elevating the diverse voices of citizens in decision-making, Counterpart’s programs improve the delivery of public services, advance civic and human rights, and ultimately improve people’s lives.
Read more about Counterpart’s history of support to the Open Government Partnership.
Governance approach
At the core of our governance approach is the recognition that our local partners have the capacity and mandate to determine their own futures. Our role is to serve as their “counterpart” on this journey, providing our knowledge, experience, resources, and innovative approaches, modified to the local context through collaboration, learning and adaptation (CLA).
Counterpart’s six governance principles
Counterpart maintains six principles across its governance work. Civil society is at the center of our initiatives: without a healthy and diverse civil society, no country can establish fair, sustainable socio-economic growth and inclusive, democratic development. We are proud leaders on localization, at the forefront of developing innovative organizational development, appreciative inquiry, and co-creation tools. We continuously develop new approaches, working with our local partners to think and work politically, challenge unjust power structures to drive transformative inclusion, ensure we are collaborating, learning, and adapting, and work across sectors to generate concrete gains in service delivery and environmentally sustainable development.
From Latin America to Africa and Asia
We’re working across the globe to strengthen civil society and inclusive and effective governance. Read more to find out how.
Changing lives through improved governance
youth supported through 64 village savings and loans associations in Burundi.
people reached through advocacy events in Bangladesh.
Nigerien communes undertook training on core participatory and civic engagement structures.
marginalized people reached, including women, LGBTQI+ and indigenous communities in Ecuador.
Bringing together experts and activists
We’re touching lives in communities around the world. Read our stories to find out how.
Learn more about our other focus areas
We take an inclusive approach to our programming and in our operations, strengthening communities side by side with our partners.
