Strengthening the Legal Development Network's Member Organizations

About this grant

The program goal is to increase community-based access to justice for the Ukrainian public. The Legal Development Network will work to strengthen and expand the current network of 30 community legal centers in Ukraine. Continuing attention will be given to equipping centers with skills and capacity to work with local authorities in providing access to justice. The grantee will also seek to integrate the network into international partnerships to further build capabilities of members. In 2019-2021, the grantee conducted 11 legal needs surveys in different regions of Ukraine, resulting in six access to justice programs in participating communities. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, network members nearly doubled the number of clients served in 2020, compared to the previous year. Working with Ukrainian and international partners, the grantee also initiated widespread discussion on “people-centered justice” and how this can be achieved in Ukraine. This increase will allow the grantee to increase provision of legal services and help coordinate other assistance for people displaced following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Formally registered in 2015 and with its secretariat in Kyiv, the Legal Development Network has member organizations in 15 regions of Ukraine.