Who we are
Microjustice is a Dutch foundation dedicated to legal empowerment and inclusion for marginalized communities and victims of humanitarian crises. Through accessible legal services, we help individuals reclaim their rights, secure essential legal documents, and integrate into society.
Our work began with the post-war legal rehabilitation of the refugees in the Former Yugoslavia, where we obtained essential legal documents for the refugees across the border in their places of origin varying from identity-related documents across borders (81,088 documents in Serbia and Croatia) to reclaim property, solving banking issues, and ensuring pensions.
In 2007, Microjustice expanded to Bolivia, where we adapted the Microfinance model to develop a sustainable legal services model for low-income communities. This successful approach led to the establishment of Microjustice Country Organizations in Peru (2008), Argentina (2010), Kenya (2011), and Rwanda (2012). Additionally, our legal aid model continued to support cross-border legal assistance for (ex)refugees in the Former Yugoslavia until 2020.
Through innovation and a sustainable approach to legal aid, Microjustice continues to bridge the justice gap, ensuring that legal rights protection is accessible to all.
Our Journey and Impact
1996:
Microjustice was founded in the Netherlands to protect the legal rights of marginalized people and disaster victims.
1996-2006:
During the post-war recovery in the Former Yugoslavia, Microjustice assisted refugees in reclaiming their rights, including processing over 81,000 cross-border identity documents, restoring property, and resolving pensions and banking issues. These efforts highlighted the critical role of legal solutions in rebuilding lives after crises.
Inspired by this success, we conducted legal rehabilitation assessments in Georgia, Iraq, Sudan, and Colombia. These findings reinforced the need for sustainable legal services globally.
2007-2017
In Bolivia, Microjustice developed a sustainable model of legal services, inspired by microfinance principles, to address the basic legal needs of the poor. This model was expanded to Peru (2008), Argentina (2010), Uganda (2010), Kenya (2011), and Rwanda (2012).
2018-Present:
Building on our global experience, we launched the Legal Rights Protection Program, featuring a Digital Legal Aid Platform and the Legal Rights Protection Barometer to enhance access to justice for vulnerable populations.
Years of successes
SDG 16: Leaving No One Behind
Microjustice actively supports Sustainable Development Goal 16, which aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies, ensure access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.
Our Legal Rights Protection Barometer and Digital Legal Aid Platform are key tools in achieving this goal. They empower marginalized communities by providing accessible, innovative legal solutions that address systemic barriers to justice, ensuring no one is left behind.
This commitment reflects our alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and reinforces our mission to create a more just and inclusive world.
Establishment of Microjustice Egypt
Launched a global campaign to promote Universal Access to Legal Aid and Legal Rights Protection for All, introducing the Legal Rights Protection Barometer and the Digital Legal Aid Platform worldwide.
Developed and tested the Legal Rights Protection Barometer and Digital Legal Aid Platform in Serbia, Kenya, and Bolivia, refining the tools for global implementation.
- Launched the Global Legal Rights Protection Program, scaling efforts to provide accessible legal aid worldwide.
- Published the Microjustice Methodology Handbook and the Microjustice Handbook for Humanitarian Crisis to guide legal service implementation.
Received the Humanitarian Innovation Fund and Cordaid Scale-up Award, recognizing innovation and impact in legal aid services.
Establishment of Microjustice Rwanda
Establishment of Microjustice Kenya
Establishment of Microjustice Argentina and Uganda
Published the first Microjustice Handbook, documenting initial experiences and best practices with the Microjustice concept in Bolivia, Peru, and Croatia/Serbia.
Establishment of Microjustice Peru
Launched the Microjustice concept for the standardization of legal services in Bolivia, with the establishment of Microjusticia Bolivia
Continued smaller-scale legal rehabilitation services in the Former Yugoslavia, following 10 years of large-scale programs. Annually facilitated approximately 1,000 cross-border legal documents for (ex)refugees
A roundtable meeting in Madrid led to the development of Microjustice sustainable model of legal services, initiating its development and focus on creating standardized legal solutions for marginalized communities.
Implemented large-scale legal rehabilitation programs for refugees in the Former Yugoslavia, assisting with identity documents, property restoration, and financial rights.
Conducted assessment missions in Sudan, Colombia, Iraq, and Georgia/South Ossetia, providing expertise on establishing legal rehabilitation programs for displaced populations.