To participate, answer this form; https://forms.office.com/r/H2LE0NhWBS
Introduction
Access to Justice is a key component of governance in a society that upholds the Rule of Law. Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16:3 argues for the promotion of the rule of law at the national and international levels and aims to ensure equal access to justice for all. Failure to ensure effective access to justice compounds disadvantages and significantly reduces opportunities, results in increased public expenditure, undermines society’s development and leads to substantial social costs.
Expanding and increasing access to justice is about rethinking what’s possible. Through innovation, one can increase the available resources, use them more efficiently, and provide better ways of accessing justice. In Uganda, current technology-related innovations include the use of socio-media like Facebook and WhatsApp to provide legal information to those in need. SMS and voice technologies have also been used. Other non-technological innovations have included the promotion of legal literacy through the use of paralegals and law students to offer legal information and aid, the establishment of justice centres and conducting awareness outreaches in communities in need.
Call
HOW ARE YOU SOLVING CHALLENGES FACING ACCESS TO JUSTICE IN UGANDA?
BarefootLaw is searching for innovations, both technologies-based and otherwise, that have been implemented to make access to justice more readily available to individuals and communities in need. The innovation can be in areas of cost reductions, procedures or processes, access to knowledge, improvements in attitudes and perceptions, as well as innovations towards solving physical barrier challenges
BarefootLaw is a non-profit organisation (NGO) in several developing countries that aims to empower people with free legal information through innovative digital technology.
This Call is being implemented under the “Approaches and innovations in the provision of legal services In Uganda and other Sub-Saharan Countries” research Project.
What we are looking for
Whether you are a formal organisation, a legal service provider, a small-scale legal service agency, or a community initiative, we want to learn from you.
Solutions could be a new practice, process, a new technology
You may not think your work is innovative, but it likely is if it provides a creative approach to improving/increasing access to justice. Tell us about it.
Timelines
This call ends on 30th September 2022.
How you can benefit
Recognition and visibility
The solution will receive recognition during BarefootLaw legal-tech events. A report highlighting key elements of your solution will be published and shared on partner information portals and websites. This provides exposure to funders, supporters, and other national and international organizations
Award
Finalists will be awarded $1000 to support the growth and advancement of the innovation.
Selection criteria
The following criteria will be used to evaluate the submissions
- Innovativeness
The solution presents a creative, unconventional or new approach to the status quo in improving/increasing access to justice
2. Affordability
The innovation/solution is affordable to those excluded in the local context and demonstrates a more cost-effective alternative as compared to the status quo
3. Effectiveness
The solution does the work it is intended to do.
4. Scalability
Feasibility for the solution/innovation to be applied, replicated and scaled up to other communities
5. Sustainable
The solution has the possibility to be sustained and durable.
To participate, answer this form; https://forms.office.com/r/H2LE0NhWBS