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Call Us
(+250) 280-036-090
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Email Us
info@legalaidrwanda.org
Institutional Development
Access to justice depends on more than individual organizations working alone. It requires strong partnerships, capable institutions, and a legal aid sector that can respond effectively to the needs of communities across Rwanda.
Our members are at the heart of everything we do. They bring diverse expertise, local knowledge, and a strong presence in communities throughout Rwanda. This locally led approach reflects LAF's commitment to localization by empowering member organizations to lead solutions that are rooted in the realities and priorities of the communities they serve.
Sub-Granting Model
Since 2008, sub-granting has been sub-granting funds to civil society organizations (CSO) with a primary focus on our member organizations. Through competitive sub-granting mechanisms, LAF mobilizes resources and supports member organizations to deliver access to justice and human rights programmes in the communities where they have the greatest knowledge, trust, and impact. This model expands the reach of legal aid services while ensuring that locally led organizations are at the forefront of designing and implementing solutions to community justice challenges.
What distinguishes LAF's sub-granting model is that it goes beyond financing. Every grant is accompanied by technical support and institutional capacity strengthening. Sub-granted organizations receive tailored support in areas such as financial management, results-based management, monitoring and evaluation, governance, and reporting. Throughout implementation, LAF provides continuous mentoring, coaching, monitoring, and compliance support, enabling member organizations to strengthen both programme delivery and their long-term institutional sustainability.
Consortium-Based Projects
Additionally, LAF also works with member organizations to jointly mobilize resources through consortium-based projects. By bringing together organizations with complementary expertise and geographic reach, LAF develops collaborative proposals and coordinates the implementation of joint initiatives. This approach enables members to access larger funding opportunities, leverage each other's strengths, and deliver more comprehensive and impactful access to justice and human rights programmes than they could achieve individually.
Over the past five years alone, LAF has awarded RWF 1,278,849,413 in sub-grants to nine member organizations, enabling them to expand access to justice and human rights services while building stronger, more resilient local institutions.
Beyond Sub-Granting
Beyond sub-granting, LAF supports member organizations through technical assistance, peer learning, knowledge exchange, joint advocacy initiatives, and platforms for collaboration. By working together, our members are able to reach more communities, share innovative approaches, and respond more effectively to emerging justice needs.
As Rwanda's national legal aid network, LAF also works to increase the visibility of legal aid and our member organizations through strategic communications, publications, media engagement, and advocacy. By documenting impact, sharing lessons learned, and amplifying locally led solutions, we help raise public awareness of justice issues while strengthening the collective voice and influence of our network.