Counterpart International

Counterpart International (Counterpart) is a non-profit organization headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. The organization’s mission is: Counterpart partners with local organizations – formal and informal – to build inclusive, sustainable communities in which their people thrive.

Since its founding more than 50 years ago, Counterpart has established programs and activities in more than 60 countries on six continents.

The organization was established in 1965 as the Foundation of the People of the South Pacific (FSP) by an Australian Marist missionary priest, Father Stanley Hosie, and actress Elizabeth "Betty" Bryant Silverstein. 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 (USAID). 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, (USAID) tapped the organization to “go global” and help determine a role for U.S. non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the former Soviet Union. At this time, the organization's name was changed to Counterpart International to better reflect an expanded mission.

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

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.

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.

Communities around the world are under enormous stress from political unrest, gang violence, competition over resources, extremist influence and the aftermath of war and ethnic conflict. With partners and leaders at the community and national level Counterpart works to promote tolerance, mitigate conflict, accelerate reconciliation and improve community resiliency.

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.

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