We are delighted to announce the twelve winners of our 2013 World Justice Challege competition! The WJC is an initiative designed to incubate practical programs that strengthen the rule of law. Seed-grants ranging from $10,000-$30,000 are given to individuals, organizations, or networks with the best actionable ideas.

This year, applicants from 67 countries proposed solutions to critical issues ranging from protecting the rights of migrant workers to combatting corruption. Each applicant used data from the WJP’s Rule of Law Index to identify areas where the rule of law was weak and could be improved. Winners were selected for their innovative approach, as well as the potential reach and impact of their proposals.

Meet the 2013 World Justice Challenge Winners

Cameroon Healthcare Access Programme
The Global Citizen’s Initiative
Cameroon

Millions of adults and children in Cameroon are denied access to basic health services, including prenatal care, treatment for malaria, and treatment for HIV/AIDS because of government corruption...Read More

China Migrant Justice Project
Justice Ventures International
China

Many migrant workers residing in China’s urban cities are susceptible to exploitation by employers and subject to harsh, unsafe, and illegal working conditions...Read More

Keep Calm and Hack Bribes
Bribe-Hackers
India

In India, over half the population has reported paying a bribe, despite India’s anti-corruption law. Bribe-Hackers is a platform designed to create a bridge between victims of bribery and law enforcement agencies...Read More

Construction of Society through Hip Hop
Young in Prison
Colombia

In Bogotá, Colombia, many children grow up in marginalized communities where weapons and drugs rule the streets, and poverty and lack of opportunities lead youth into correctional institutions...Read More

Bringing Community Lawyering Resources to NGOs and Pollution Victims
Pacific Environment
China

China’s rapid development has led to high levels of pollution. Wealthier segments of society are able to move away from polluted areas, but poorer citizens lack the resources to move...Read More

Establishing an Effective Detention Monitoring Structure in the Deep South of Thailand
Cross Cultural Foundation
Thailand

Inhumane conditions in detention centers and prisons in southern Thailand have worsened with the imposition of special security laws. The torture of prisoners...Read More

Housing Rights of the Urban Poor in Fortaleza
Urucum
Brazil

In Fortaleza, the capital city of Ceará, thousands of poor families are being threatened with eviction in order to prepare the city for events that will take place in the coming years―including the 2016 Olympic Games...Read More

Invisible Unfairness: Justice Administration for Children with Specific Learning Difficulties
Special Attention Project
Ghana

Children with learning difficulties in Ghana’s public schools do not receive adequate support and are at high risk of dropping out of school and offending the law...Read More

Myanmar Legal Profession Support Initiative
Justice Base
Myanmar

Decades of military rule have severely damaged the institutions that are vital to ensuring protection of the rule of law in Myanmar. The justice system is widely considered to be corrupt...Read More

Project Model Kivalina
The Centre of the Earth
United States

Kivalina, an indigenous whaling community situated off the northwestern coast of Alaska, is under threat from rising sea levels. The U.S. government has ordered the village to relocate...Read More

Street Law Zambia Legal Education Program
Street Law Zambia
Zambia

Street Law Zambia (SLZ), a newly-founded organization associated with Street Law, Inc., creates programs to teach youth about law, democracy, and human rights...Read More

The First 48 Hours: Evaluating Early Decisions in Criminal Cases in Mexico
Lawyers with Cameras
Mexico

While television and films have taught us to expect law enforcement to process crime scenes with the utmost care, what few of us know is that the memory of eyewitnesses and suspects is just as fragile...Read More

In addition to seed-grants, Opportunity Fund winners will receive publicity, research and networking support from the WJP. Winners will also have the opportunity to present progress on their projects at the World Justice Forum IV, a global gathering to examine the foundational importance of the rule of law and to promote collaborative actions to strengthen the rule of law.

Congratulations to all our applicants for contributing to one of the most diverse and dynamic competitions in the WJP's history!

In Memoriam: Roderick B. Mathews

The World Justice Project’s Opportunity Fund is named in honor of Roderick B. Mathews, one of the founding Officers of the World Justice Project as well as its treasurer. WJP Founder and CEO, William H. Neukom, described Mr. Mathews as, "a man for all seasons. He had intellect, empathy and charm. He made fast friends of colleagues and strangers, finding common interests and giving them the benefit of the doubt. His was an irresistible personality.” In tribute to Mr. Mathews’ leadership and his devotion to the advancement of the rule of law, the WJP has named its Opportunity Fund in his honor.

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