Millennium Partners under a USAID Rule of Law IQC contract has been assisting USAID promote rule of law in all parts of the globe. We also are implementing a grant from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) to improve access to justice for Moldovans, especially the most vulnerable members of society who are marginalized and excluded.
We have implemented or are currently implementing justice strengthening projects in Ethiopia, Bosnia, Kosovo and Moldova, Egypt, Cambodia and Sri Lanka.
Our Approach
Recognizing that rule of law is necessary to democratic development and equitable economic growth, our approach is to deliver rapid, flexible, and often innovative assistance to enable host country governments, civil society leaders, and communities to develop the best approaches to improve the delivery, availability, and quality of justice.
Rule of Law Projects
Feteh Activity in Ethiopia
In February 2019, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) awarded the Feteh (“Justice,” in Amharic) Activity in Ethiopia to Millennium and its partner under the Rule of Law IQC, DPI, Feteh was originally envisioned as a two-year activity (February 2019–January 2021) to provide flexible, rapid response technical assistance to the Attorney General’s Office (AGO), relevant subcommittees within the AGO, the Federal Supreme Court of Ethiopia (FSCE), and related government ministries in the process of reform. In August 2020, the Activity was extended for an additional two years and six months. Pursuant to the extension, Feteh will continue to support the Ethiopian legal and justice reform process by providing technical assistance to select institutions, including Federal and Regional AGOs; Federal and Regional Supreme Courts; the House of People’s Representatives (HOPR); constitutionally mandated Democratic and Human Rights Institutions, such as the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission, the Ethiopian Institution of the Ombudsman, and the Public Defender’s Office; and legal and academic institutions. Regional institutions receiving support will be selected in consultation with USAID and the Government of Ethiopia (GOE). Feteh is also providing grants to civil society organizations (CSOs) and media organizations to strengthen their ability to consult and engage the public in Ethiopia’s ongoing legal and judicial reform processes.
Access to Justice Project in Moldova
Millennium is implementing a grant from the US Department of State’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) to improve access to justice for Moldovans, especially the most vulnerable members of society who are marginalized and excluded. Our team of talented and committed Moldovans has been active in expanding access to legal aid while raising awareness of rights and the legal aid services that are available. ATJ is also improving the capacity of legal aid providers to conduct awareness campaigns, raise funds, and deliver high quality services. Alternative methods of justice are also being developed along with the appropriate laws and regulations.
The Open Justice Project in Moldova:
The Open Justice Project is strengthening the Moldovan judiciary through court efficiency measures and increased access to justice for all members of society. With an exceptional all-Moldovan team comprising justice sector, IT, and communication experts, we are working with Moldovan counterparts to develop cutting edge web based technologies such as an upgraded and system wide ICMS to improve the administration and transparency of justice sector institutions. The project has also developed performance standards, instituted standards for excellence in the courts and was instrumental in operationalizing the Judicial Ethics Commission to be a proactive agent of ethical behavior in the judiciary.
The Justice System Strengthening Program (JSSP) (2015-2019
JSSP strengthened the efficiency and effectiveness of the administration of justice, enhanced the accountability and professionalism of justice systems and actors, and supported the integration of judicial structures in the north of Kosovo. The JSSP addressed impediments to judicial efficiency, transparency, accountability, and integration to improve the performance of Kosovo’s justice institutions and actors and promote greater public confidence in the system. While, pursuant to its contract, assistance to the Kosovo Judicial Council was the centerpiece of JSSP’s efforts, support was also provided to other key institutional actors with a role in ensuring that Kosovo’s justice system operates in an efficient and effective manner, such as the Ministry of Justice, Constitutional Court of Kosovo, Kosovo Justice Academy, and courts.
Egypt Commercial Courts Activity–automating court processes and increasing transparency of decision making
Under a subcontract to Tetra Tech DPK, Millennium is assisting Egypt’s efforts to enhance the Rule of Law, reform the judiciary, and enable an improved business environment in order to attract companies and investors. USAID launched the Economic Courts Activity (ECA) to work together with the Economic Courts and the Ministry of Justice to implement reform efforts for the courts. ECA is comprised of three broad objectives: automation of specialized functions within Economic Courts; improved transparency of functions and decisions of Economic Courts; and implementation of organizational change within the Economic Courts by enhancing human capacity of judges and court staff. Millennium Partners is providing substantial technical assistance in the implementation of the automation of court processes and improving transparency of functions and decision making.
Justice Activity in Bosnia and Herzegovina: (2014-2019)
The Justice Activity in Bosnia and Herzegovina was implemented in partnership with National Center for State Courts. This project strengthened the capacity of prosecutors to investigate and prosecute corruption, promoted integrity measures in the judiciary and strengthened justice sector institutions, such as the Office of Disciplinary Counsel, to uphold ethical standards and combat corruption.
Sri Lanka: Civil Society Initiatives to Support the Rule of Law in Sri Lanka (CSI.ROL) (2013-2017)
CSI.ROL was a civil society strengthening program to promote rule of law in Sri Lanka by building the capacity of civil society actors to advocate effectively for justice reforms and access to justice. The program also worked with the Ministry of Justice to improve court administration, and enhance the legal knowledge and skills of justice sector personnel, particularly judges and lawyers. The program was very active in supporting five legal aid NGOs and the Legal Aid Commission of Sri Lanka to expand access to justice for marginalized and vulnerable populations. A primary focus of these interventions was raising awareness of gender based violence and securing the rights and remedies available to women.
Benin Performance Evaluation, 2015
Millennium Partners undertook a final performance evaluation of the Millennium Challenge Account’s Access to Justice Project (A2J) of the Benin Compact in November 2014. This report is providing guidance for donors who are planning justice sector interventions, by highlighting those areas that would most benefit from donor investments.
Bangladesh
Millennium conducted a Rule of Law assessment to identify and analyze the primary challenges and opportunities for advancing rule of law in Bangladesh, outlined strategic approaches for USAID programming, and recommended programmatic options.
Moldova MCC program – Moldova Governance Threshold Country Program
Millennium Partners provided training for judges and staff, developed pilot courts, automated court administration through ICMS, developed reference guides to improve judicial administration, strengthened the legal and regulatory basis for judicial administration, produced a Code of Ethics and sentencing guidelines, and strengthened enforcement of judgments and renovated courts to make them more citizen accessible and eliminate opportunities for corruption.
Niger – Niger Governance Threshold Country Program (MCC)
In this MCC/USAID project, Millennium increased oversight procedures in Ministry of Justice, and strengthened legislation affecting citizen access to rights, land, and business opportunities. Millennium worked with Civil Society, the local chapter of Transparency International, and journalists to raise awareness of rights and the anticorruption efforts of the government.
Azerbaijan
Millennium provided an assessment of a USAID Access to Justice and Legal Education project in Azerbaijan, which analyzed the primary constraints and opportunities for advancing access to justice in Azerbaijan by increasing human rights defenders and legal services.