What We Do

Since its founding in 1965, Counterpart has focused on gender equity and social inclusion as guiding principles. We believe the voice of every community member matters, and everyone has the right to participate in their community’s well-being. In all our programs, we bring marginalized people into civic life, supporting their ability to influence decisions that affect their lives.

Health Security
Governance Security
Food Security

Over the past 55 years, Counterpart has implemented some 75 health-focused and integrated health programs, spanning Africa, the South Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, South and Central Asia, the Middle East, and the Former Soviet Union.

WHAT WE’RE DOING

Counterpart works with individuals, organizations, communities, and networks to develop assets, relationships, and structures where all people are included. We help communities identify and map complex challenges; develop durable social partnerships; implement innovative, scalable, and sustainable solutions; and generate lasting impact.

Long before it became the gold standard in development practice, Counterpart’s central approach to program implementation focused on building the capacity of local partners and organizations to ensure sustainability, while fostering inclusive and participatory approaches to development. Partnering with local health non-governmental organizations, community-based organizations, public and private health care professionals, ministries of health, and numerous other local stakeholders, Counterpart ensures transparent and participatory program design, implementation, and decision-making.

Citizens must be at the center of their communities and their countries. Our efforts in more than 20 countries around the world help equip people to take up their rightful role in civic life. In many countries this requires intentional work with both citizens and governments to help establish new ways of working together. We help communities constructively engage with government and build the capacity of civil society leaders, organizations and networks who educate citizens on how to exercise their rights. We also assist governments in implementing transparent and accountable policies and in building more effective citizen-government partnerships.

What We’re Doing

Counterpart is committed to building the capacity of civil society organizations to improve the ability of citizens to have a full and participatory role in the civic life of their country. Our work aligns with Goal 16 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals: to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.

To advance Goal 16, Counterpart will continue to:

  • build the capacity of civil society organizations working on behalf of human rights and inclusive civic participation
  • amplify the voices of citizens advocating for government responsiveness and policy reform
  • help governments create the mechanisms to engage citizens in decision making
  • strengthen civil society organizations to sustainably serve community needs
  • promote partnership and mutual investment in community development among NGOs, business and government
  • strengthen the capacity of governments and civil society organizations to collaboratively fight corruption

The only way to realize the full potential of any country is to have healthy and strong citizens, starting with children. Counterpart works with local partners around the world to improve the production of and access to nutritious food for children. We support community-led and school-based efforts to reduce malnutrition, implement sustainable agricultural practices and improve food security. We work closely with communities to identify and address the full spectrum of issues affecting food security and community health. In support of UN Sustainable Development Goal 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture, and Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages, Counterpart will continue to:

  • Increase the availability of nutritious food through community engagement
  • Increase the stability of the food supply
  • Improve farming techniques to generate more sustainable crop yields
  • Increase access to health and nutrition services, especially for pregnant women and newborns.

Related Impacts

2020 — 2025

McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition program in Mozambique

CHALLENGE Located in southeastern Africa, Mozambique is a low-income, food-deficit country with a largely rural population of 31 million.  In 2015, the country reached its …

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McGovern-Dole Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program in Mauritania

CHALLENGE While 75% of the population in Mauritania depends on subsistence agriculture and pastoralism, the country has been facing drought exacerbated by climate change which …

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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%. …

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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 …

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Food Aid for Disabled Children in Niger

We provided meals to poor children with disabilities to reduce malnutrition and keep kids in school.

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Food for Education in Cameroon

We engage schools to mobilize parents and communities in health, nutrition and the value of education.

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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.

Exploring Currently

What

Working alongside local partners to address challenges and opportunities.

 

Where

In more than 20 countries around the world.

 

How

By developing leaders, strengthening organizations and building networks.

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