Deadline: 31-Aug-2026
The EU-GOJUST Programme is a European Union–Philippines partnership that strengthens justice sector reform by improving access to inclusive, gender-sensitive, and people-centred justice services. It funds civil society, academic, and community-based collaborations that expand legal aid, legal awareness, and access to remedies, particularly for women and vulnerable groups.
Programme Overview
The EU-GOJUST Programme aims to build a more coordinated and effective justice system in the Philippines by strengthening partnerships between civil society organisations, law schools, and community-based actors.
It focuses on improving access to justice, legal empowerment, and institutional collaboration to ensure fair and inclusive justice delivery.
Key Objectives
The programme seeks to:
- Strengthen justice sector reform and institutional coordination
- Improve access to justice for vulnerable and marginalised groups
- Promote gender-sensitive and people-centred justice services
- Expand legal aid, legal advice, and representation services
- Enhance awareness of legal rights and entitlements
- Improve access to legal remedies and dispute resolution systems
- Foster collaboration between CSOs, law schools, and communities
- Support sustainable and inclusive justice service delivery
Window 3 Focus: Integrated Justice Partnerships
Under Window 3, the programme specifically supports:
- Collaboration between established justice-sector CSOs and law schools
- Partnerships with smaller or emerging CSOs and community organisations
- Integration of academic institutions with community justice actors
- Strengthening local and national justice service networks
This model promotes shared learning and coordinated justice delivery systems.
Funding Details
The programme provides funding for 18-month projects:
- Single applicant: up to USD 85,000
- Consortium of 2 partners: up to USD 169,500
- Larger consortiums: up to USD 250,000
Funding is intended for collaborative, impact-driven justice initiatives.
Eligible Activities
Supported activities include:
- Direct legal aid and representation services
- Legal advice and community legal awareness programmes
- Support for accessing legal remedies and entitlements
- Capacity-building for justice sector actors and communities
- Policy advocacy and legal reform initiatives
- Action research combining service delivery and evidence generation
- Community outreach and legal empowerment programmes
- Gender-sensitive justice interventions
Eligible Applicants
Eligible entities include:
- National non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
- Academic and research institutions
- Community-based organisations (CBOs)
- Organisations working in partnership with justice-sector actors
Preference is given to organisations that demonstrate:
- Strong collaboration with justice institutions
- Experience in legal aid or human rights work
- Capacity to engage vulnerable communities
- Multi-stakeholder partnership models
Programme Approach
The EU-GOJUST Programme is built on:
- Multi-sector collaboration between CSOs, academia, and government
- Integration of service delivery and legal reform advocacy
- Evidence-based justice programming
- Gender-sensitive and inclusive legal services
- Strengthened coordination across justice institutions
- Community-driven legal empowerment
Expected Outcomes
The programme aims to achieve:
- Improved access to legal services for vulnerable populations
- Stronger coordination within the justice sector
- Increased availability of legal aid and representation
- Greater awareness of legal rights among communities
- More inclusive and gender-responsive justice systems
- Enhanced trust in justice institutions
- Sustainable partnerships between civil society and academia
Why This Programme Matters
This initiative is important because it:
- Expands access to justice for underserved populations
- Strengthens collaboration between legal and community actors
- Improves gender equality in justice service delivery
- Builds long-term institutional capacity in the justice sector
- Promotes legal empowerment and rights awareness
- Enhances accountability and fairness in legal systems
- Supports sustainable justice reform in the Philippines
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applications may be weaker if they:
- Do not include strong cross-sector partnerships
- Lack clear legal aid or justice service components
- Fail to address vulnerable or marginalised groups
- Do not demonstrate justice sector experience
- Provide unclear or overly broad project designs
- Ignore gender-sensitive approaches
- Lack evidence-based or measurable outcomes
Tips for a Strong Application
- Build strong partnerships between CSOs and law schools
- Clearly define legal aid and access to justice activities
- Focus on vulnerable and underserved populations
- Include gender-responsive and inclusive approaches
- Combine service delivery with policy or advocacy work
- Use evidence and data to support project design
- Ensure clear roles within consortium partnerships
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for the EU-GOJUST Programme?
NGOs, academic institutions, and community-based organisations in partnership with justice sector actors.
What is the funding range?
From USD 85,000 to USD 250,000 depending on consortium size.
What is the project duration?
18 months.
What is the main focus of the programme?
Improving access to justice and strengthening justice sector reform in the Philippines.
What types of activities are funded?
Legal aid, legal awareness, advocacy, capacity building, and action research.
Is collaboration required?
Yes, especially between CSOs, law schools, and community organisations.
Who benefits from the programme?
Women, vulnerable groups, and marginalised communities.
Conclusion
The EU-GOJUST Programme is a strategic justice sector initiative that strengthens access to legal services, institutional coordination, and community-based legal empowerment in the Philippines. By integrating civil society, academia, and justice institutions, it promotes a more inclusive, gender-sensitive, and effective justice system for vulnerable populations.
For more information, visit UNOPS.