Democratic governance
Democratic governance is based on two major challenges: strengthening transparent, effective and legitimate public institutions, while promoting active citizen participation, which is essential for sustainable and inclusive development.
Ginger SOFRECO’s work is focused on three key areas: supporting the rule of law, supporting civil society and promoting human rights.
Areas of expertise
Ginger SOFRECO works on the rule of law and access to justice by supporting the modernisation of judicial systems, decentralisation and institutional capacity strengthening. Our activities include legislative reform, the deployment of ICT tools, training for legal professionals and the establishment of infrastructure to improve the efficiency, transparency and fairness of the judicial system. We aim to ensure more equitable access to justice for all, particularly vulnerable and rural populations.
In addition, we support citizen participation and the development of democratic systems by strengthening civil society and promoting inclusion and respect for human rights, particularly for women, children and minorities.
The aim of our work is to build more accessible, accountable and fundamental rights-based justice systems.
The rule of law and access to justice
Support for civil society and democratic systems
Human rights, gender and minorities
The rule of law and access to justice
Our activities in favour of the rule of law and access to justice focus on strengthening institutional capacities, developing modern information systems and implementing legislative reforms, while ensuring the transparency, independence and accountability of legal professionals through the:
- Modernisation of judicial infrastructure
- Design of appropriate legislative frameworks
- Deployment of ICT tools to facilitate access to law and justice
- Capacity strengthening of legal professionals through training and the development of appropriate programmes, ensuring their integration into the reform process
- These initiatives aim at ensuring a more effective, fair and accessible judicial system for all, particularly vulnerable populations.
For example, we have supported the decentralisation and improvement of the efficiency of judicial systems in several countries, including Kenya, Tunisia, Morocco, the Maldives, Lesotho, Algeria and Côte d'Ivoire.
Our references in the field of democratic governance
Support to the National Judicial and Legal Aid Service of the Department of Justice under the Programme for Legal Empowerment and Aid Delivery (PLEAD) ( 2020 - 2024 )
The main objective of the project to support the Ministry of Justice's national legal aid and justice service in Kenya (EU funding, €2 million, 2020-2024) entailed the improvement of access to justice for vulnerable populations in 12 priority regions, including Nairobi, Mombasa and other marginalised areas. The project aimed to support the implementation of the 2016 Legal Aid Act by supporting the coordination, supervision and promotion of legal aid services. The project included the development of a regulatory framework, the creation of an ICT system, including a mobile application and a website, and the training of NLAS staff and aid providers. It also supported awareness-raising among the population through campaigns, while strengthening collaboration between public actors, NGOs and civil society. Supervision was provided by a team of experts, including a team leader and specialists in project management and legal capacity. The overall objective was to ensure equitable access to justice, particularly for disadvantaged communities in these regions.
Technical assistance for the implementation of the Government Plan for Equality II ( 2021 - 2024 )
The main objective of the technical assistance project to support the implementation of the Government Plan for Equality II in Morocco (EU funding, €2.6 million, 2021-2024) was to strengthen the promotion of gender equality and equity. The project aimed to improve programme coordination and management, and to strengthen the institutional capacities of the Ministry of Solidarity, Social Development, Equality and Family, as well as those of partnering stakeholders. The project also supported the implementation of the MoussaWat programme and all actions related to combating stereotypes, women's political participation and communication on gender equality. Experts in administrative coordination and gender equality promotion were mobilised to provide ongoing technical support. This also included media awareness-raising, the definition of an action plan for APALD, and the dissemination of results and progress to the public. The overall objective was to create an environment conducive to greater gender equality in all public policies in Morocco.
Technical assistance for a programme to support the reform of Morocco’s justice sector ( 2018 - 2021 )
As part of the comprehensive reform of the judicial sector launched by Morocco in 2014, the technical assistance project for the reform of the justice sector in Morocco (EU funding, 2018-2021) had the main objective of strengthening the effectiveness of the judicial system by supporting the Ministry of Justice, the High Council of the Judiciary, and the Presidency of the Public Prosecutor's Office. It included the provision of expertise to support the implementation of actions related to the European Union's support programme, particularly in programming, coordination, monitoring and management. The project also supported strategic thinking, the formalisation of the operational plan, the modernisation of the legal aid system and the development of the information system. In addition, it aimed to promote effective communication on the reform, organise events and carry out sectoral studies. Specific expertise was mobilised, particularly in coordination, law-making, communication and information systems. The goal was to strengthen the coherence, transparency and efficiency of the Moroccan judicial system, while promoting compliance with international standards.
Dedicated teams
Our multidisciplinary team has expertise in economics, law, governance, justice, urban planning, finance, the private sector, and anti-corruption efforts. We take a comprehensive and specialised approach to governance and economic development issues. Our experience in implementing technical assistance projects funded by the European Union and other international partners reinforces this approach.
people
They trust us
CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS
Access to justice – a key challenge
Access to justice is a cornerstone of strengthening governance, guaranteeing the rule of law and ensuring a fair and inclusive society.
Our experience in this area encompasses a wide range of technical and institutional activities. We have supported the implementation of legal aid laws, particularly in Kenya, by strengthening the capacity of stakeholders and deploying ICT systems to facilitate access to legal services for vulnerable populations. We have also supported judicial sector reform in Tunisia and Côte d'Ivoire to improve the efficiency, transparency and judicial system fairness for all citizens, particularly those living in rural or vulnerable areas.
Our interventions include conducting satisfaction surveys among litigants, supporting the development of alternative dispute resolution methods, providing logistical support to mobile courts, strengthening the capacities of legal aid providers (legal clinics and state bodies, such as the National Legal Aid Service [NLAS] in Kenya), designing procedural manuals, creating awareness-raising and advocacy tools, and setting up infrastructure to improve access to justice.
Lastly, we aim to simplify procedures and strengthen the participation of litigants in the judicial process.
Contact us
