Funded by Austria: UNDP Launches €2.5 Million EQUALS Project to Advance Access to Free Legal Aid in Albania and North Macedonia

UNDP Albania

February 20, 2026

Funded by Austria: UNDP Launches €2.5 Million EQUALS Project to Advance Access to Free Legal Aid in Albania and North Macedonia

UNDP Albania

Ohrid (February 20, 2026) — Thousands of citizens in Albania and North Macedonia face significant legal barriers that impact their rights and livelihoods. To address this, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) today launched Enhanced Quality Legal Aid Services (EQUALS), a €2.5 million regional project designed to bring justice closer to the most vulnerable populations.

Funded by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) as part of International Partnerships Austria and implemented by UNDP Albania and North Macedonia, the project will run from November 2025 through October 2028. EQUALS scales up the successful model of Albania’s Expanding Free Legal Aid Services (EFLAS) project (2019-2025), fostering regional cooperation to ensure no one is left behind.

Access to justice is a cornerstone of democratic governance and a central pillar of the UN 2030 Agenda. By prioritizing women, remote communities, and marginalized groups, EQUALS reinforces global commitments to:

SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
SDG 5: Gender Equality

The project aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework and supports both countries’ justice reform priorities as they advance toward European Union (EU) integration.

EQUALS leverages a robust coalition of partners, including the Ministries of Justice, Free Legal Aid Providers, National Human Rights Institutions, and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).

In Albania: The project will refine legal frameworks and strengthen institutional capacity of Free Legal Aid management institutions based on UNDP’s 2024 Access to Justice Study’s findings. It focuses on empowering women, and vulnerable groups through rights education and fostering collaboration between, legal aid providers, mediators, law clinics and civil society.
In North Macedonia 🇲🇰: Focus will be placed on harmonizing legal aid frameworks and introducing digital tools to create a more coherent, people-centered system.
Regional Collaboration: A core element is the creation of a Regional Network of Service Providers, enabling professionals to align services with international and EU standards.

By 2028, the project aims to achieve:

Enhanced Quality: More professional and accessible legal aid services.
Empowered Citizens: Increased confidence among women and marginalized groups to seek justice.
Policy Alignment: Legal frameworks that meet EU recommendations.
Legal Aid Network: A cross-border network for shared learning.

“While the Western Balkans have made significant strides, access to justice remains uneven for women and vulnerable groups such as victims of domestic violence, victims of discrimination, persons with disabilities, Roma and Egyptian, etc. Through the EQUALS project, the Austrian Development Agency is proud to partner with UNDP and the Ministries of Justice in Albania and North Macedonia to ensure legal rights are enforceable for all. This initiative reflects Austria’s commitment to the Rule of Law and gender equality. As both our partner countries advance toward EU accession, credible reforms and regional cooperation are essential to building a European future where justice is accessible for all", emphasizes David Muckenhuber, Head of the Austrian Development Agency’s regional coordination office in Tirana.

Armen Grigoryan, UNDP Resident Representative in North Macedonia.

UNDP Albania

“United Nations Development Programme remains committed to supporting the Government in building a justice system that is inclusive, accessible, and citizen oriented. In partnership with the Ministry of Justice and other key stakeholders, UNDP will continue to work dedicatedly to improve the accessibility, efficiency, and quality of free legal aid, especially for vulnerable groups,” emphasized Armen Grigoryan, UNDP Resident Representative in North Macedonia.

UNDP Resident Representative in Albania, Randi Davis.

UNDP Albania

“Access to justice is not merely a legal entitlement; it is the foundation of dignity, equality, and trust in the state. Through EQUALS, we move beyond laws on paper to justice that reaches people where they live—protecting the vulnerable, bridging institutions with communities, and making EU integration meaningful in everyday lives. Our true measure of success will not be the number of trainings or centers, but whether citizens feel the justice system stands with them, not apart from them."-said UNDP Resident Representative in Albania, Randi Davis.

About UNDP: The United Nations Development Programme works in nearly 170 countries to eradicate poverty and reduce inequalities.

About ADA: The Austrian Development Agency (ADA) is Austria’s federal agency for development cooperation and humanitarian aid. ADA collaborates with international organisations, public authorities, civil society, educational institutions and businesses across Africa, Asia, South-East and Eastern Europe. Together with the people in Austria’s partner countries, ADA works to improve living conditions in their communities – for example, by providing education and training, by supporting small businesses, or by developing innovative solutions for water supply and agriculture. ADA is committed to reducing poverty, promoting peace and protecting the environment. For better lives and a secure future for all.

For more information, visit: Enhanced Quality Legal Aid Services (EQUALS): Advancing Access to Justice in Albania and North Macedonia | United Nations Development Programme