The Hague, 24 October 2025 - People-centred justice is a paradigm shift in how justice and security systems are designed and delivered. It starts with people's lived experiences - listening to their voices, understanding barriers and co-creating solutions that work in their context. It focuses on outcomes that matter: trust, safety, fairness and inclusion.
To advance justice and security systems that truly serve people, UNDP works at the country level, supporting national partners in delivering justice for all, especially those most vulnerable and at risk of being left behind. To ensure that UNDP Country Offices are equipped to lead this work effectively, UNDP has developed a Programming Guide on People-Centred Justice and Security, a practical toolkit and strategic roadmap for implementation. This guide builds on UNDP's Policy Framework on People-Centred Justice and Security and is aligned with the organization's Strategic Plan 2026 - 2029.
"A people-centred approach is not just the right thing to do, it is the smart thing to do," said Revai Makanje-Aalbaek, UNDP's Global Lead on People-Centred Justice. "When justice and security systems are accessible, fair and accountable, they foster trust, empower communities and unlock sustainable development."
The new guide offers a flexible, step-by-step process for diagnosing problems, co-creating and testing solutions and adapting as we learn, drawing from UNDP's work in over 170 countries.
Field-level results from Colombia, Kenya and Sierra Leone and Colombia, supported through the Justice Action Coalition Catalytic Fund, with contributions from the governments of the Netherlands and Germany, demonstrate the tangible impact of this approach.
In Sierra Leone, mobile legal clinics and community paralegals are helping people in remote rural areas resolve disputes locally and affordably. Over 2,000 benefitted, including 900 women.
"Going through formal justice system can be expensive and intimidating, so people get to experience justice in their communities," said Mr. Shahid M Korjie, Coordinator of the Justice Sector Coordination Office. "For example, paralegals help women get their land back or support divorcing parents to decide on custody."
In Kenya, Small Claims Courts (SCCs) are expanding access to justice for everyday commercial disputes. Moreover, the courts have been digitized, enabling users, especially women business owners, to access services through a new mobile app.
"You don't have to lose money by closing your business to go to court," said Hon. Susan Gitonga, Deputy Registrar at Milimani Law Courts. "You can track your case or join a virtual hearing through your mobile device. The turnaround time of the small claims court is 60 days, so people can reinvest in their businesses quickly."
In Colombia, UNDP and its partners in the Justice Action Coalition are working alongside the Government and civil society to place victims at the heart of the peace process. Through initiatives that combine legal empowerment with creative expression, people get to claim their rights and express justice needs through art and culture, turning personal experiences into powerful tools for advocacy and healing.
The Netherlands has been a key driver of the global shift toward people-centred justice, contributing to a new vision for justice delivery.
"It is by operationalizing people-centered justice and security that we can move institutions to become more intentional about delivering services that produce direct and tangible effects for people's lives and livelihoods. In its core, this is what people-centeredness is about," said Valentijn Wortelboer, Senior Policy Officer at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
As the world looks toward the 2030 Agenda, people-centred justice is not a stand-alone goal, but a strategic enabler of peace, stability and inclusive development. It helps rebuild the social contract, prevent conflict and create conditions for societies to thrive.
Launching the programming guide on people-centred justice was the first event organized by UNDP's Justice Futures CoLab in The Hague, signalling UNDP's growing presence as a hub for justice innovation and global dialogue.
