To better understand and contextualize service delivery for local contexts, ISA Building Block 1 leverages methodologies that draw from the Thinking and Working Politically and Inclusively toolbox, such as inclusive political economy analysis, system and power mapping, gender and social inclusion analysis, and social network analysis. As we apply these methodologies, we look at how various exclusionary factors – i.e. gender, age, disability, economic status, religion, or ethnicity – intersect to amplify discrimination. This knowledge enables Counterpart and its partners to develop strategies that address the root causes of exclusion within broader political economies. These methodologies drive knowledge from the ground up, building on decades of experience in complex environments with multifaceted challenges steeped in local history, social and cultural norms, and economic and political power relations.
ISA Building Block 2 is designed to build and promote locally-owned, multi-level, sustainable CSO networks that can serve as platforms for shared learning, coordinated service delivery, and improved development programs. Our approach recognizes that a vibrant and influential civil society comes from forming networks and coalitions focused on achieving shared objectives through collective action, collaboration, and social partnerships. Strong networks and coalitions begin with strong organizations and leaders, and any solid network development program must invest in CSO capacity building. Counterpart partners with CSOs to improve their financial and program management and their governance structures – all with an emphasis on building the skills and mindset necessary to engage in collective action.
ISA Building Block 3 is about building social partnerships at every level — public, civic, and private — beginning with promoting local dialogue and engaging stakeholders to listen to each other and ending with formalization through contracting or other mechanisms. Promoting inclusive accountability depends on these robust social partnerships to strengthen collaboration around identifiable priorities, promote awareness, and hold one another accountable – project staff, stakeholders, and government alike.
ISA Building Block 4 provides sustainable mechanisms and tools for monitoring community-level service delivery, ensuring that these mechanisms are locally-driven and do not require extensive external support beyond initial training and capacity development efforts.
ISA Building Block 5 leverages Counterpart’s Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) methodology within the service delivery design, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation processes. CLA provides an iterative framework for development practitioners and service delivery providers to work with local stakeholders to build relationships and knowledge share through multiple platforms. Over time, this approach fosters a culture that emphasizes experimentation, as well as adapted learning from failures.
Trust in public institutions is one of the most essential factors for effective public health crisis management and response. Activities designed to strengthen governance, particularly those that build confidence and foster deeper connections between the public sector and its constituents, are central to this effort.
Good governance and socioeconomic development projects often target individuals or organizations. Counterpart believes that it is not only important to work with individuals and organizations but also the formal and informal networks to which they belong. Increasing government accountability and transparency is important in any context, particularly in fragile and transitioning states where simmering grievances…
CSOs around the world face a variety of sustainability challenges, from the shifting focus of international donors to restrictive laws on NGO fundraising that make it a crime to accept support from government donors. For members of the Civil Society Innovation Initiative (CSiI), a global network of civic space activists and defenders supported by Counterpart…
Thinking and Working Politically (TWP) has been a game changer for development practitioners. Whether it is through applied Political Economy Analysis, Gender Analysis, or Systems Mapping, TWP is a vast suite of methodologies to guide activity implementation in complex contexts where political, economic, and social dynamics are rapidly evolving. In these contexts, knowing which actors to engage and which windows of opportunity to leverage not only ensure programmatic success, but can also make the critical difference when considering risk…
Together with our local partners, we are improving health and nutrition, expanding access to education, strengthening climate resiliency, enhancing people’s livelihoods, and ensuring communities are governed more inclusively. In each project, we track our goals, monitor the progress, and evaluate impact.
