The second cascade training on Free Legal Aid for the employees of the Regional Offices of the Ministry of Justice took place in Ohrid, North Macedonia. Supported by the joint European Union and Council of Europe Horizontal Facility II programme and in close co-operation with the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) of North Macedonia, the capacities of 22 employees of the Regional Offices (ROs) were strengthened on how to effectively provide primary and secondary legal aid. They had also the opportunity to enhance their knowledge and skills required to respond in an effective and appropriate manner when dealing with vulnerable persons asking for free legal aid, especially victims of domestic or gender-based violence.

The training was conducted by colleagues of the MoJ’s Regional Offices, previously trained in the framework of Horizontal Facility II programme to function as trainers in the field of FLA for the needs of Ministry of Justice, a long-term investment for sustainability in relation with continuous education of the ROs employees.

The importance of the Regional Offices for overall legal aid system in North Macedonia as drivers of change for better implementation of the Law on Free Legal Aid and protection of citizen’s rights, was stressed in the opening remarks by Mr. Arkin Jahiji, State Advisor of the Ministry of Justice. He also expressed gratitude to the Council of Europe Programme Office in Skopje for the excellent cooperation.

During the activity, the participants received informational materials to be used in their daily work with clients and discussed for a greater involvement in the promotion and awareness raising campaign for Free Legal Aid in North Macedonia.

The capacity building for the Regional Offices of the Ministry of Justice is conducted by the action “Supporting enhanced access to higher quality Free Legal Aid services in North Macedonia” which is part of the joint European Union/Council of Europe programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkey 2019-2022”.