Counterpart International

?? Field notes from Dr. Shahla AL Kli, PhD, chief of party for Counterpart International's USAID-funded Iraq Civil Society Activity (Tafa'aol) ????

Building sustainable solutions to fight hunger and improve education requires collaboration, commitment, and long-term vision. That’s why Counterpart International’s McGovern-Dole Food for Education and Child Nutrition project in Mauritania is about more than providing school meals—it’s about uplifting communities to lead. In August 2024, “The Future is Ours” project brought together over 100 stakeholders, including U.S. and Mauritanian government officials, local partners, private sector representatives, and civil society, to evaluate progress on our sustainability plan. The workshop featured remarks from U.S. Ambassador Cynthia Kierscht and Mauritania’s Minister of Education, highlighting the importance of local ownership and collaboration in achieving lasting impact. Key recommendations from the sessions included expanding income-generating activities, developing support mechanisms for school meal management, and creating private sector fundraising strategies. These ideas will shape the action plan of a newly formed steering committee dedicated to ensuring the longevity of the program. Counterpart is proud to work alongside communities, strengthening local capacities and fostering partnerships that ensure school feeding programs thrive long after our involvement ends. Discover how we are contributing to building lasting impact for Mauritania’s children ?

We are excited to announce Kevin Pettit as our new interim CFO. With over 25 years of financial leadership, deep expertise in international accounting, and a strong record of successfully managing global teams, Kevin brings invaluable experience to propel our organization forward. Join us in welcoming Kevin and embracing his guidance as we continue to grow and innovate.

“When my children entered kindergarten, I already had a loan with the credit union. That helped us complete their studies so they could reach middle school. The loans help us not just in planting potatoes, but also when our children get sick. Now, we have the means to take them to the hospital”.?~ Odilia Castro. Odilia and Rigoberto Castro, agricultural producers in Guatemala, saw an improvement in their business and the lives of their children with a loan they obtained from our partner Federación Nacional de Cooperativas de Ahorro y Crédito (Cooperativas Micoope) as part of the USDA-funded Food for Progress program. We launched Counterpart Voices, a multimedia platform showcasing the voices of program participants, partners, and allies worldwide. Hear directly from them here:?https://lnkd.in/eBWTvG2A

In Bangladesh, Counterpart’s Promoting Advocacy and Rights Activity, funded by USAID, worked with marginalized Dalit and cobbler communities to tackle entrenched discrimination and elevate critical issues—like education access and anti-discrimination laws. Through partnerships with Dalit, an organization advocating for the Dalit community, and Gram Bikash Shahayak Sangstha (GBSS), which supports the cobbler community, these groups built strong grassroots coalitions, advocated for policy change, and created new leadership opportunities for youth and women. The progress speaks for itself, with school support secured for over 7,000 Dalit children and the cobbler community achieving its first public commitments to reduce barriers for women and lower educational fees for children. Click here to read the full story and see how these communities transformed their futures.?

It was a meaningful and uplifting night at the #SIDUSDinner. Our team was delighted to join hundreds of fellow professionals for an evening filled with powerful conversations, new connections, and memorable moments in the heart of Washington, D.C. ? From networking with incredible leaders across NGOs, government, universities, and private sectors to celebrating the achievements of two extraordinary award recipients, former President of Liberia Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Aphlyne Turfy, the night was a true testament to the passion and impact of the international development community. Hearing from the distinguished speakers fueled our shared dedication to positive change and reinforced our commitment to the important work ahead. ? We are also proud that our senior vice president of human resources, Wendy R. Bradford, sits on the Board of Directors, and that our vice president of communications, Elizabeth Corley, and senior director of governance, Kourtney Pompi, play key roles within the SID network, furthering our engagement with this impactful community. ? Thank you to Society for International Development, United States (SID-US) for creating this space to celebrate our common purpose.

We’re excited to launch Counterpart Voices—our new multimedia platform that brings forward the voices of colleagues, partners, program participants, and changemakers. Through their stories, we highlight resilience, innovative solutions, and citizen-led change, amplifying the experiences of those who are making a difference in the world’s most challenging environments.? Discover these powerful narratives and let them inspire you. https://lnkd.in/g2GiseiR

In Timor-Leste, the push for gender equality is gaining momentum. Since 2020, Counterpart International’s partnership with USAID has elevated local organizations to break down barriers to women’s advancement.? One of our key partners, FONGTIL, has transformed its approach to inclusivity, with improvements in recruitment, program design, and workplace accessibility under the leadership of Alicia Rodrigues Araujo. Reflecting on the impact, she shared, "The GESI training expanded our understanding of inclusivity in all aspects of our work."? This year alone, Counterpart supported over 1,200 individuals in gender equality. Explore the full story to learn more about this journey here.?

We are pleased to share that the Government Ethics Tribunal of El Salvador has recognized the Transparency and Integrity Activity with the distinguished “Friends of Public Ethics” award at the launch of Ethics Week. This honor acknowledges our team's dedicated efforts to strengthen anti-corruption frameworks, implement international standards for quality in processes, and establish robust compliance management systems across public sectors. These initiatives support transparency and enhance accountability in El Salvador. The Government Ethics Tribunal plays a pivotal role in promoting ethical standards, preventing misconduct, and upholding public integrity within Salvadoran institutions. This recognition reinforces our commitment to partnering with public entities in building a more transparent and accountable society.?

School feeding programs do more than nourish children; they transform communities. ? ? By sourcing locally grown cornmeal in southern Senegal, Counterpart’s Sukaabe Janngo II project, funded by USDA, is feeding over 80,000 students while supporting local women processors and farmers. ? ? This partnership sustains school meals and generates close to $1 million for local economies.? ? Learn how these community-led initiatives are paving the way for sustainable development and lasting impact. ? ? Click to read more about this inspiring model of local change. Counterpart International Senegal, Kathryn Lane