LocationsReaching Marginalized Communities: AVCB Project Phase III Sets Ambitious Goals
Activating Village Courts in Bangladesh project expands nationwide to ensure accessible justice for all
August 20, 2023
Government officials, UNDP representatives, and EU delegates gather for the ceremonial signing of the AVCB Project Phase III, marking a historic milestone in enhancing justice accessibility and empowerment in rural Bangladesh.
Activating Village Courts in Bangladesh" (AVCB) Project Phase III, funded by the Government of Bangladesh (GoB), the European Union (EU), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), officially launched its nationwide expansion. The project document was ceremoniously signed on 20 August 2023 at the Economic Relations Division in Dhaka, marking a significant step towards enhancing access to justice for people in rural areas, particularly women, ethnic minorities, and disadvantaged groups.
With a total budget of USD 50.01 million (BDT 426.35 crore), the project is a collaborative effort, with the Government contributing USD 18.64 million (BDT 157.51 crore), the EU generously contributing EUR 25 million (BDT 243.14 crore), and UNDP committing USD 3 million (BDT 25.70 crore). The AVCB Project Phase III is set to play a pivotal role in strengthening the judicial landscape in Bangladesh.
This ground-breaking project aims to further empower Village Courts across the nation as effective local dispute resolution mechanisms. The initiative operates under the umbrella of the Local Government Division (LGD) within the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development, and Cooperatives (MoLGRDC). Having experienced remarkable success during Phase I and Phase II (2009–2022), where Village Courts were activated in 1,416 Union Parishads (UPs), the Government has now taken the bold step to extend this initiative to an additional 3,041 UPs, thereby providing coverage to nearly the entire country.
Signatories of the project agreements included Sharifa Khan, Secretary of the Economic Relations Division (ERD), and Dr. Md. Sarwar Bari, Director General Monitoring Inspection and Evaluation Wing, Local Government Division (LGD), who represented the government. From UNDP, Stefan Liller, Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh, was the signatory.
During the signing ceremony, Sharifa Khan, Secretary of the ERD, expressed the government's unwavering commitment to bringing the judicial system to the doorstep of every citizen. She highlighted the project's mission to make the judicial system accessible at the grassroots level, enabling individuals to resolve minor disputes and reach mutually beneficial solutions through alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
Stefan Liller, Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh, conveyed his pleasure in signing the third phase of the AVCB project alongside the Economic Relations Division and the Local Government Division. He emphasised the project's profound impact in extending access to justice to vulnerable communities across Bangladesh. This final phase signifies a monumental scale-up, promising justice and empowerment for millions of citizens.
Stefan Liller also expressed gratitude to the government for envisioning and establishing the village court system, as well as to the European Union for its steadfast assistance and support throughout the project's evolution.
Enrico Lorenzon, Team Leader of the Inclusive Governance Sector, European Union in Bangladesh, was also present. In his remarks, he said, “European Union has been supporting justice in Bangladesh for many years now and with this third phase, we are finally achieving the goal of activating village courts in almost the entirety of the country.”
The signing ceremony witnessed the presence of senior officials from the government, the European Union, and UNDP, further underscoring the collective commitment to enhancing justice accessibility and community empowerment in Bangladesh
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Media Coverage:
UNB: Activating Village Courts in Bangladesh project expands nationwide to ensure justice for all
Business Standard: 'Activating Village Courts in Bangladesh' launches nationwide expansion
Daily Sun: Village Courts in Bangladesh expands nationwide
Asian Age: UNDP inks deal with govt to fund village courts at 3,041 unions
Bangla Tribune: ন্যায়বিচার নিশ্চিত করতে গ্রাম আদালতের কার্যক্রম সম্প্রসারিত হচ্ছে
From Vision to Reality: AVCB Project Phase III Ushers in a New Era of Rural Justice
