Deadline: 04-May-2026
The United Nations Development Programme is inviting proposals to improve access to justice for persons with disabilities in Central Equatoria State, South Sudan. With a budget of $30,000, the initiative funds legal aid services, awareness campaigns, and policy advocacy over five months. The project includes establishing an inclusive legal aid centre in Juba and reaching over 2,000 beneficiaries.
Overview
This initiative focuses on disability-inclusive justice systems, ensuring that persons with disabilities can access legal services, understand their rights, and seek redress.
It aims to:
- Provide accessible legal aid
- Promote rights awareness
- Strengthen inclusive legal systems
- Advocate for policy reforms
Context: Justice Barriers for Persons with Disabilities
In South Sudan, access to justice is limited due to:
Key Challenges:
- Discrimination and stigma
- Limited accessible legal services
- Lack of awareness of legal rights
- Inconsistent outcomes between customary and statutory systems
Most Affected Groups:
Key Objectives
1. Deliver Legal Aid Services
- Provide free legal advice and representation
- Support civil, criminal, and administrative cases
2. Raise Legal Awareness
- Educate communities on rights and legal processes
- Promote access to justice mechanisms
3. Build Capacity of Legal Professionals
- Train lawyers and justice actors
- Promote disability-inclusive practices
4. Advocate for Policy Reform
- Improve accessibility in justice institutions
- Develop policy recommendations for inclusive legal systems
Core Intervention: Legal Aid Centre in Juba
The project will establish a fully accessible legal aid centre in Juba.
Services Provided:
- Legal counselling
- Legal representation
- Confidential and inclusive support
- Referrals to specialised services
Expected Impact
- At least 300 persons with disabilities receive legal aid
- Over 2,000 individuals reached through awareness campaigns
- Improved accessibility of justice services
- Strengthened policy advocacy for disability inclusion
Funding Details
- Total budget: $30,000
- Duration: 5 months
- Type: Project-based funding
Key Partners
The project will collaborate with:
- Union of Persons with Disabilities
- Union for the Blind in South Sudan
- Ministry of Justice
- Ministry of Gender
- Civil society and academic institutions
Who is Eligible?
Eligible Applicants:
- Civil society organisations (CSOs)
- Non-profit organisations
Requirements:
- Experience in legal aid, human rights, or disability inclusion
- Capacity to operate in South Sudan
- Ability to coordinate multi-stakeholder partnerships
Project Requirements
Proposals must:
- Establish and operate a legal aid centre
- Provide free legal services
- Conduct awareness campaigns
- Include training for legal professionals
- Develop policy advocacy outputs
- Ensure:
- Accessibility
- Confidentiality
- Safeguarding and ethical compliance
How to Apply (Step-by-Step)
- Identify key justice gaps for persons with disabilities
- Design a project including:
- Legal aid services
- Awareness activities
- Capacity building
- Prepare proposal:
- Implementation plan
- Budget and timeline
- Monitoring framework
- Demonstrate:
- Relevant experience
- Partnerships and local engagement
- Submit application via UNDP process
Evaluation Criteria
Applications will be assessed on:
- Relevance to disability inclusion and justice
- Quality of implementation strategy
- Feasibility within 5 months
- Organisational capacity
- Expected impact and sustainability
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Ignoring accessibility needs (physical or communication)
- Weak stakeholder collaboration
- Lack of safeguarding measures
- Unrealistic targets within short duration
- Limited focus on policy impact
Why This Programme Matters
This initiative addresses critical justice gaps for persons with disabilities.
It helps:
- Promote equality and human rights
- Improve access to legal systems
- Reduce discrimination and exclusion
- Strengthen inclusive governance
- Build long-term systemic change
Tips for a Strong Proposal
- Prioritise accessibility (physical, communication, legal)
- Include disability-focused expertise
- Engage organisations representing persons with disabilities
- Ensure realistic and measurable outputs
- Integrate advocacy with service delivery
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Who are the target beneficiaries?
Persons with disabilities, especially vulnerable groups.
2. What is the funding amount?
$30,000.
3. What is the project duration?
5 months.
4. What is the main intervention?
Establishing a legal aid centre in Juba.
5. Is awareness-raising required?
Yes, it is a key component.
6. Are partnerships important?
Yes, collaboration with relevant stakeholders is expected.
7. What is the main goal?
To improve access to justice for persons with disabilities.
Conclusion
This UNDP initiative provides a focused opportunity to advance disability-inclusive justice in South Sudan. By combining legal aid, awareness, and policy advocacy, the programme aims to create a more equitable and accessible justice system for some of the most marginalized populations.
For more information, visit UNDP.