How We Achieve Change

Counterpart believes a community creates the most effective social, political, and economic solutions to challenges only when its citizens, organizations, and networks – regardless of their position and condition – create and implement solutions together.

We also believe it’s possible to accelerate this process by developing the capacities of leaders, organizations, and networks to identify challenges and implement their solutions more effectively, transparently, and inclusively.

Developing Emerging Leaders

Building Organizational Capacity

Building Networks

We believe in the right and ability of people to drive their own destinies and maintain that the best solutions come from inside a community, not from outside.

Local leadership is at the center of every solution. Equipping individuals with the confidence and skills they need to be leaders in their communities furthers local ownership of development and instills problem solving capabilities that become embedded in the fabric of a community.

We are particularly focused on developing emerging leaders from communities that have traditionally been marginalized: women, youth, indigenous peoples, members of the LGBTQ community, and people with disabilities. Their talent and energy is needed if any country is to reach its full economic potential while also providing for the social good.

Related Impacts

2018 — 2021

Local and Regional Food Aid Procurement Project in Senegal

CHALLENGE In Senegal, the agricultural sector employs approximately 70% of the working population, yet in 2017 its contribution to total GDP was just over 16%. …

2018 — 2022

McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Project in Senegal

CHALLENGE A large portion of Senegalese citizens rely on agriculture and pastoralism for their livelihood. Unfortunately, a persistent drought in 2017 severely impacted crop …

Innovation for Change

Challenge Innovation for Change (I4C) was established as a response to widespread and worsening trends affecting civil society, including increasing restrictions on civic space and …

Dominican Republic Coastal Community Resiliency Program/

We help youth and organizations develop community-led strategies that protect their local ecosystems.

Congo Demokrasia in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Counterpart is supporting and strengthening civil society organizations who are working to increase voter participation and peaceful civic engagement.

Fisheries and Marine Conservation in the Dominican Republic

High unemployment and underemployment are serious challenges in the Dominican Republic.

Building the capacity of local organizations is at the core of what we do. Counterpart’s capacity building approach is state of the art and customizable to any sector, with tested and proven methodologies that improve organizational effectiveness.

For example, 56% of 123 organizations surveyed reported that after working with Counterpart they experienced increases in annual revenue, funding sources, services offered to beneficiaries, beneficiaries served.

Our cascading model — in which organizations are trained in our methodology and then train others in their own networks — has helped spread the skills and knowledge that generate lasting impact. Our proudest moments are when our partners become capacity builders in their own communities.

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Related Impacts

2022 — 2027

Civil Society Strengthening Program in Haiti

The Haiti Civil Society Strengthening Program is building the capacity of Haitian CSOs to connect, organize, and more effectively conduct advocacy activities.

2022 — 2027

Civil Society in Action – Armenia

Challenge Armenian civil society organizations (CSOs) have a long history supporting citizens’ needs, providing humanitarian assistance, and facilitating platforms for democratic discourse. CSOs made key …

2021 — 2026

RESILIENT GOVERNANCE IN NIGER

Challenge Since returning to democratic rule in 2011, the Government of Niger has taken important steps to curb corruption, increase transparency, and push for decentralization. …

2019 — 2022

Integrated Marine Ecosystem Management in Northern Hispaniola

Produced at the close of the program in August 2022, this video captures the impact of our work in Dominican Republic and Haiti. CHALLENGE Northern …

2020 — 2025

TIMOR-LESTE NGO ADVOCACY FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE ACTIVITY

CHALLENGE Since achieving independence in 2002, Timor-Leste has made great strides towards consolidating its democracy but continues to face challenges to deepening democratic governance and …

2018 — 2021

Local and Regional Food Aid Procurement Project in Senegal

CHALLENGE In Senegal, the agricultural sector employs approximately 70% of the working population, yet in 2017 its contribution to total GDP was just over 16%. …

As individual organizations emerge as strong agents of change in their communities, the next level of impact comes when they find each other and work together to leverage knowledge and experiences . This collaboration is the seed bed for innovation and scalable, transferable solutions.

Our most gratifying success is the development of networks that have linked communities together to carry on the valuable work we helped ignite and steward. We are committed to social sector network development to achieve the highest level of systematic change in every sector in which we work.

Related Impacts

2018 — 2021

Local and Regional Food Aid Procurement Project in Senegal

CHALLENGE In Senegal, the agricultural sector employs approximately 70% of the working population, yet in 2017 its contribution to total GDP was just over 16%. …

2018 — 2022

McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Project in Senegal

CHALLENGE A large portion of Senegalese citizens rely on agriculture and pastoralism for their livelihood. Unfortunately, a persistent drought in 2017 severely impacted crop …

Innovation for Change

Challenge Innovation for Change (I4C) was established as a response to widespread and worsening trends affecting civil society, including increasing restrictions on civic space and …

Dominican Republic Coastal Community Resiliency Program/

We help youth and organizations develop community-led strategies that protect their local ecosystems.

Congo Demokrasia in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Counterpart is supporting and strengthening civil society organizations who are working to increase voter participation and peaceful civic engagement.

Fisheries and Marine Conservation in the Dominican Republic

High unemployment and underemployment are serious challenges in the Dominican Republic.

OUR IMPACT

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.

Who

Citizens around the world who are working to improve their lives.

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What

Working alongside local partners to address challenges and opportunities.

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Where

In more than 20 countries around the world.

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How

By developing leaders, strengthening organizations and building networks.

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