Counterpart International’s Transformative Impact on the Dominican Republic as Seen in Innovative Projects

Tyler Shepherd | Contributor

Published 3:41 p.m. ET Aug. 29, 2024

Original article: USA TODAY

Climate resiliency has emerged as a top priority for nations worldwide as the effects of climate change become more apparent. The stakes are higher for countries with coastlines, which are more vulnerable to the consequences of climate change, like flooding, erosion, and habitat loss. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change ( IPCC ) highlights that coastal communities are at the frontline of climate impacts. By 2050, millions are at risk of displacement due to rising sea levels.

Island nations and coastal countries are already witnessing these effects. The international community recognizes the situation’s urgency, embedding climate initiatives and environmental impact assessments into nearly every proposal, policy, and development plan. Technological solutions are continuously developed to tackle these challenges. However, they remain insufficient.

Building sustainable and resilient communities requires a holistic approach. This process involves collaboration between community members, government bodies, and technological experts. These stakeholders must cooperate to implement locally relevant, culturally sensitive, and environmentally sustainable strategies.?

Counterpart International has demonstrated its commitment to environmental sustainability and climate resilience through its projects around the world. It solidified its position as a recognized leader in supporting civil society and community-based development since its establishment in 1965. Its mission is to work with community leaders, organizations, and networks to shape positive change.??

Counterpart kickstarts projects across continents to address the specific environmental and social challenges faced by communities in diverse regions. For instance, it has been involved in initiatives in the Dominican Republic for nearly two decades, a nation vulnerable to climate change’s impacts. The success of the organization’s projects in the country is thanks to the leadership of dedicated individuals like Patricia Abreu Fernández and Brianna Radosti .??

Ferna?ndez, the Country Representative and Program Director for Counterpart’s Dominican Republic office, boasts over 20 years of experience in environmental and sustainability issues. She has helped align international cooperation initiatives with local needs and has ensured the successful implementation of the Coastal Climate Resiliency Program (CCRP) and other environmental projects.?

Brianna Radosti, Associate Director for Governance at Counterpart International, has been integral in supporting and overseeing the country’s climate portfolio. Her work includes securing additional funding for climate projects and providing technical support to ensure the effectiveness of these initiatives.?

The Dominican Republic ranked eleventh in the top countries most negatively impacted by climate change between 1997 and 2016. Counterpart has made efforts to address this problem through the CCRP, which takes a multifaceted approach to environmental conservation. It focuses on reducing local pressures on biodiversity in coastal marine ecosystems. The program also aims to build a nature-positive economy by helping coastal communities through environmental education. Doing so fosters behavioral change and supports sustainable livelihoods.?

Counterpart has partnered with several local and international organizations, including a private family foundation, which funds the program. Other partners include AgroFrontera , Fundacio?n Grupo Puntacana, the Center for Conservation and Eco-Development of Samana? Bay and its Surroundings ( CEBSE, Inc. ) , Learning Streams International , and Fundacio?n Dominicana de Estudios Marinos. These partnerships enable the program to operate across sectors and geographical areas.?

The CCRP also supports fishing, tourism, and coral reef restoration efforts. Moreover, it trains fishing associations to promote coastal resiliency and builds networks between businesses and the national government to ensure environmental policies are implemented effectively.?

It’s worth noting that the CCRP encompasses the Dominican Environmental Education Program (DEEP). DEEP was launched in 2015 to educate and empower Dominican youth to become leaders in environmental conservation. It provided students with hands-on experience in environmental science, offering opportunities to participate in field trips to mangrove sites, beaches, and rivers to collect water samples and study local ecosystems. It also connected students with internship opportunities at local environmental organizations.?

“The program started as an after-school club for students interested in science and environmental issues,” says Radosti. “It grew and was even offered in five schools across the Dominican Republic.” Counterpart even introduced DEEP Day, an annual event that brings students, teachers, government officials, and local partners to show the initiative’s impact. “DEEP has supported over 1,700 youth in the country. We’re happy to see how many of them have gone on to study biology and other scientific disciplines at the college level,” the Associate Director adds.?

Following the continued success of the CCRP, Counterpart has recently introduced the Climate Adaptation Activity (CAA). It’s a transformative initiative addressing critical water insecurity issues in the Dajabo?n/Massacre River watershed region, a vulnerable area along the Dominican Republic-Haiti border. Funded by the United States Agency for International Development ( USAID ) , this project acknowledges the need to solve the severe challenges brought by climate change.??

The situation in the region is dire. It’s already experiencing water shortages, conflicts over resources, and a diminishing capacity to manage natural resources effectively. The CAA takes a localized, inclusive approach to improving water security and natural resource management in the Dajabo?n region. It engages local civil society organizations, government entities, the private sector, and the communities to build awareness and change behaviors to reduce the pressures on water ecosystems.??

“The CAA is an exciting milestone for us because it’s one of the most technically rigorous climate initiatives we’ve undertaken,” Radosti remarks. The program will scale reforestation efforts, supporting the planting of one million trees across 20% of Dajabo?n province. It aims to facilitate $20 million in financing to promote climate-friendly solutions that generate green growth, especially for women and youth. In addition, the CAA will enhance watershed governance and enable local actors to use climate and hydrologic data for better decision-making at municipal and transboundary levels.??

The CAA built on a legacy of successful projects that impacted the Dominican Republic and its neighboring regions, such as the Integrated Marine Ecosystems Management in Northern Hispaniola (IMEM). The program, running from 2019 to 2022, improved the management and conservation of marine ecosystems on the northern coast of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. It strengthened the rice value chain, provided food rations to 700 families across Montecristi, and supported local enterprises in distributing aid to marginalized communities.??

Counterpart International’s work in the Dominican Republic demonstrates its expertise in sustainable development and climate resilience. Innovative programs like the CCRP and the CAA have helped local communities take charge of their natural resources. These initiatives have addressed immediate environmental challenges and solidified the foundation for lasting, community-led solutions that will continue to benefit the region even after the programs conclude.?

Reflecting on Counterpart’s journey in developing environmental initiatives in the Dominican Republic, Abreu notes, “These two programs help us scale up our efforts and build on the valuable experiences and lessons we’ve gained throughout the years. Moving forward, we anticipate our approach to turn toward a more regional collaboration to reflect the interconnectedness of the Caribbean’s challenges and opportunities. Counterpart’s extensive experience in the country positions us well to lead these efforts across the region.”