Enhancing Quality, Capacity And Sustainability Of District Paralegal Services In Manyara Region

This project was designed to enhance both the institutional capacity and long-term sustainability of paralegal units operating across the Manyara Region. Launched in late 2016 and implemented over a four-year period, the initiative was entrusted to the Civic Social Protection Foundation (CSP), which was appointed as the Regional Mentor Organization (RMO) by the Legal Services Facility (LSF)—the project’s funder. CSP’s primary mandate was to mentor and support the region’s paralegal units, helping them evolve into self-sustaining, community-rooted entities capable of operating independently beyond the life of the project.

The dual focus of the intervention centred on:

1. Provision of Legal Aid Services– particularly for underserved populations.
2. Legal Education and Rights Awareness – delivered through structured outreach and community-based education.

To guide and assess implementation, the project team developed a logical framework (logframe), complemented by annual work plans. These tools enabled effective monitoring and accountability while ensuring alignment with LSF’s strategic priorities. Through its design, the project empowered community-based paralegals to provide practical, rights-based legal support across diverse districts.

Target Groups and Scope of Work

At its core, the project sought to improve access to justice for marginalized and vulnerable populations, including women, youth, persons with disabilities, and those in rural or underserved areas. To accomplish this, CSP coordinated and executed a wide range of activities, including:

• Inception meetings at district level, formally launching the initiative and orienting local government leaders and stakeholders.
• Ward-level sensitization campaigns, which introduced communities to the roles and benefits of paralegals.
• Support to organizational development, including re-establishing governance structures, strategic planning, and internal leadership within paralegal units.
• Legal registration assistance to help paralegal centers attain formal recognition.
• Provision of core grants, enabling paralegal organizations to implement programs, maintain offices, and provide ongoing services.
• Quarterly stakeholder learning forums, fostering shared learning and cross-district collaboration.
• Delivery of structured training modules, focused on legal literacy, human rights, case documentation, gender-based violence, dispute resolution, and ethical service provision.