Namati Inc

Programs: Community land protection:in kenya, sierra leone, uganda, liberia, and myanmar 65 communities are working to improve the governance of their land and gain official recognition of their land rights. In 2017, 13 communities adopted clear rules and harmonized boundaries. Myanmar: in myanmar, we took on over 1,800 cases and secured administrative recognition of land rights in 171 cases, including the return of seized land in 8 cases. Sierra leone: in sierra leone, 55 communities are negotiating deals with large-scale mining and agricultural investors, of which 11 fairer deals have been successfully negotiated. In addition, 22 cases involving environmental grievances were pursued, of which 3 successfully achieved an end to environmental violations.

global network:namati's global legal empowerment network is the world's largest community of grassroots justice practitioners and advocates. The network has grown to include 1,370 organizations and 5,102 individuals. It provides a platform for practitioners to seek answers and compare experiences regarding the implementation of paralegal programs. In 2017, namati organized two learning exchanges in argentina and sierra leone with thirty-three participants from community organizations. One learning exchange focused on legal empowerment in latin america and the other focused on environmental justice. Through practical, hands-on learning, namati aims to strengthen its community of practice and our movement as a whole. In 2017, namati also collaborated with central european university and brac university to hold our 3nd annual legal empowerment leadership course, during which more than 60 practitioners from across the world created specific action plans designed to address their respective work challenges.

global programs:communications: in 2017, we produced and co-produced 99 publications. This includes 54 op-eds, news articles, and trade blogs; 11 policy briefs, 3 updated practitioner guides, 5 academic articles/papers, an assessment tool, and numerous briefs; and 20 client stories and blogs. Learning: in 2017, namati programs devoted significant time to their country strategies. A series of group working sessions focused on analyzing the problem, taking stock of successes and current challenges, and developing a theory of change. Each team presented and got feedback on their draft strategies at a leadership retreat. In addition, we made significant strides toward implementing a system for client follow-up. All teams adapted the interview guide and most completed initial field tests and a sampling plan. Advocacy: in 2017 we hosted an sdg webinar series, which covered gender, access to justice and ogp and the goal 16 advocacy toolkit. We also hosted 4 in person sdg trainings using advocacy, justice and sdg guide for 115 organizations at latin america regional exchange, a side event at the high-level political forum, the sdg16+ forum, and civicus world assembly. We brought network members into ogp national planning in liberia and engaged members in afghanistan and pakistan through ogp discourse group.