Funding for projects and ideas that improve or enhance access to the NSW justice system

The NSW Government has announced a second round of funding for the $1 million Access to Justice Innovation Fund. The fund supports innovative ideas to improve or enhance access to justice in NSW.

Overview

The Fund was created to encourage innovative approaches to improve the way legal problems are solved. Grants between $50,000 and $250,000 will be awarded to ideas for low cost, high impact projects, particularly those targeting socially and economically disadvantaged communities.

We are seeking applications for projects that make the justice system easier to access for people in NSW. This may include projects that:

• explore new approaches to the delivery of legal assistance services and the resolution of legal problems
• help people to navigate and access the justice system
• promote collaborative approaches to reducing barriers to justice
• demonstrate how technology can improve access to and user experience of the justice system.

Previously successful applicants

• Marrickville Legal Centre - external site was granted $250,000 in 2019-20 to develop an online chatbot NALA (New Age Legal Assistant).
• Justice Connect - external site was awarded $174,000 in 2020-21 to build a language processing model to help people who lack legal literacy.
• The University of Sydney - external site received $76,000 in 2020-21 to develop a fairer assessment model for parents with cognitive disability involved in care proceedings before the Children’s Court.

What are the eligibility criteria?

To be eligible, you must be:

• a non-government organisation
• a not-for-profit organisation; or
• a business that provides services to people living in NSW.

Government entities are not eligible to apply. Private individuals must be in partnership with an organisation listed under eligibility criteria.

How do you apply?

Find out more on the Department of Communities and Justice website