Donor:

Project:

New Justice Program

Innovating Justice Challenge

Innovating Justice Challenge is an international innovation competition in the field of innovating law. Ten Ukrainian teams selected based on the results of the competition underwent a regional incubation program based on the 1991 Open Data Incubator.

Background

Development

Product

The Innovating Justice Challenge, a collaborative initiative led by the USAID "New Justice" program, the Hague Institute for Innovations in Law (HiiL), 1991 Open Data Incubator, and the Ministry of Justice, unfolded as a dynamic platform for fostering legal innovation. Spanning three batches from 2017 to 2019, this international competition sought to harness the power of innovation to elevate legal services, empower citizens, and forge meaningful connections between IT, the public, and the public sector.

Features and Activity:

  • Open Call for Legal Innovations: The competition provided an open call, inviting Ukrainian projects to contribute groundbreaking innovations in law. This facilitated the creation and development of socially impactful projects that aimed to enhance the quality of life for citizens.
  • Regional Incubation Program: Selected teams underwent a comprehensive six-week incubation program at the 1991 Open Data Incubator. This program was designed to equip innovators with essential skills in business modeling, financial planning, and the development of communication and marketing strategies.
  • Expert Mentorship: Specialized mentors from diverse backgrounds, including the business community, NGOs, and the public sector, collaborated with the teams. Projects with potential applications in the justice and judicial sectors received tailored support from experts at the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine.

Winners:

  • Pinky Solutions (2017): Notable among the winners was Pinky Solutions, a platform for online conflict resolution in e-commerce. This innovative solution addressed disputes in online transactions, introducing efficiency and fairness to e-commerce interactions.
  • Save Yourself Bot (2018): Save Yourself Bot emerged as the 2018 winner, focusing on educating users about actions to take in domestic violence or bullying cases. Operating on the Telegram platform, the bot generated police statements and complaints to guardianship authorities, contributing to the fight against these social issues.
  • AirLaw.Pro (2019): The AirLaw.Pro team claimed victory in 2019. Specializing in international air law, the team focused on addressing air passengers' challenges during travel, ensuring their rights, and enhancing the overall air travel experience.

Results

  • Training Opportunities: Winning teams gained access to a one-week training course in The Hague, facilitating international exposure and networking.
  • Grant for Product Development: The best innovators were awarded grants to develop their products further, injecting financial support crucial for refining and scaling their solutions.
  • Mentorship Network: Winners were integrated into a valuable network of mentors who provided ongoing guidance and support for their ventures.
  • Future Funding Prospects: By becoming part of the Innovating Justice Challenge, innovators opened doors to potential future funding opportunities, ensuring sustainability and growth for their projects.

The Innovating Justice Challenge stands as a testament to the power of collaborative innovation in the legal sphere, producing tangible solutions and empowering change-makers to redefine the landscape of legal services.