Counterpart International


Counterpart International is a non-profit organization headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. Since its founding in 1965, Counterpart has established programs and activities in more than 60 countries on six continents.

History

The organization was established in 1965 as the Foundation of the People of the South Pacific by an Australian Marist missionary priest, Father Stanley Hosie, and actress Betty Bryant. Ms. Silverstein and Father Hosie focused on supporting communities in the remote and often-overlooked islands of the South Pacific.
In 1968, the organization began receiving funding from the United States Agency for International Development. During the 1970s, FSP obtained more grants to expand its staff and to transition its field offices into indigenous, independent NGOs that were locally staffed. FSP improved on the model of international aid by providing institutions in the South Pacific with skills to rebuild infrastructure, develop sustainable solutions to poverty, and facilitate economic growth.
In 1992, tapped the organization to “go global” and help determine a role for U.S. non-governmental organizations in the former Soviet Union. At this time, the organization's name was changed to Counterpart International to better reflect an expanded mission.

Inclusive Social Accountability (ISA)

Counterpart International’s Inclusive Social Accountability© developmental framework integrates elements of social inclusion and community accountability into one comprehensive program design and implementation approach. ISA fosters more durable solutions by engaging government to make the policy or service delivery changes needed.

Programs and Goals

Counterpart International currently has programs in civil society and governance; social inclusion; communities in conflict; food security and nutrition; and climate resiliency.

Governance Security

Our current efforts in more than 30 countries around the world empower individuals, organizations and networks to take an active role in shaping the development of their communities and countries. We recognize the power of local ownership, and support efforts to enhance transparency and accountability which contribute to the strengthening of partnerships and cooperation between different sectors of society.
To realize the full potential of any society, populations need to be healthy, 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.
Counterpart has a staff of 500 people in more than 25 countries with headquarters in Arlington VA. The organization is overseen by a board of directors who are responsible for the legal and fiduciary operations of the organization. The current board of directors consists of:
In 1991, President George Bush awarded FSP co-founder Betty Silverstein with the U.S. Presidential End Hunger Award for Individual Achievement. First Lady Hillary Clinton also commended Silverstein at Counterpart's 500th humanitarian Airlift at Andrews Air Force Base in Virginia in early 1998.
Counterpart has delivered over half a billion dollars' worth of aid to countries in former USSR, Central Asia Republics, Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe and Africa.
Counterpart's Armenia Office was involved in the announcement of the Civil Society Fund 2009 winners. The office is also part of Counterpart International's Limited Intervention Program Statement grants.
In May 2009, Counterpart was granted a Leader with Associates Cooperative Agreement with USAID, who expressed confidence in Counterpart to implement the "Global Civil Society Strengthening" program that builds the capacity of civil society organizations around the world. Counterpart held the LWA for eight years, and received $350 million in awards through the agreement.