Protecting Victim Rights through Judicial Accountability in Ukraine
As Ukraine advances towards European integration and strengthens its commitment to democracy and the rule of law, this project enhances judicial accountability and safeguards victims’ rights. Drawing on Dutch expertise and European best practices, the initiative strengthens Ukraine’s judicial institutions, ensuring they uphold victim-centered justice and align with EU legal standards.
Through training, research, and policy reform, the project fosters a human rights-based approach to judicial processes, expanding support for victims and improving institutional coordination. The initiative also reinforces bilateral relations between Ukraine and the Netherlands through knowledge exchange, study visits, and public awareness campaigns, contributing to Ukraine’s rapprochement with the EU.
Key activities:
- Training and capacity-strengthening: Conduct workshops and webinars with Dutch and international experts to strengthen the knowledge and skills of Ukrainian judges, prosecutors, and legal professionals in upholding victims’ rights.
- Curriculum development: Review and develop specialised training modules at the National School of Judges and the Prosecutors’ Training Center of Ukraine, incorporating insights from individuals with lived experiences.
- Guideline distribution: Develop and disseminate guidelines on victim-centered judicial processes to legal practitioners.
- Study visits: Organize study visits to the Netherlands for Ukrainian judicial actors to observe best practices in victim support.
- Public awareness campaign: Implement strategic communication initiatives to raise awareness of victims’ rights and available services in Ukraine, especially in frontline areas.
- Policy advocacy: Collaborate with public institutions to advocate for legal and policy reforms, such as reintroducing state-funded compensation mechanisms for victims of violent crimes.
- Victim support services enhancement: Provide technical advisory to public institutions to improve service delivery and establish inter-agency working groups to enhance coordination among victim support services.
- Pilot programme implementation: Support the Victims and Witnesses Unit within the Office of the Prosecutor General in Ukraine with a pilot program for legal and psychological support.
Target groups:
- Judicial actors in Ukraine, including judges, judicial assistants, and court staff.
- State-run institutions in Ukraine, such as the Ministry of Justice Ukraine, Free Legal Aid Ukraine, and the Centre for Victim and Witness Support under the Prosecutor General’s Office.
- State and CSO-led victim-focused service providers in Ukraine, including Free Legal Aid and the Victim and Witness Coordination Centre.
- Victims & survivors directly benefiting from expanded legal and psychological support services.
Inclusion of victim/survivor voices: this project empowers victims by ensuring that their lived experiences shape judicial training, legal policies, and service improvements. Survivors will be engaged as consultants, trainers, and policy contributors, ensuring that reforms are rooted in real-world challenges.
Expected outcomes:
Stronger judicial institutions – Ukrainian legal professionals adopt victim-centered approaches in line with EU standards.
Improved access to justice – More victims benefit from enhanced legal support services and coordinated state interventions.
Policy alignment with the EU – Ukraine strengthens its justice system to meet European legal and human rights benchmarks, advancing its democratic resilience.
Enhanced bilateral relations – Strengthened ties between Ukraine and the Netherlands, fostering long-term collaboration in justice sector reform.
Project implementation
Funder: Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Funding programme: Matra Government-to-Government Grant Programme 2025-2029 (Matra G2G)
Project duration: February 1, 2025 – January 31, 2029
Total budget: €806,181
Lead organisation: Netherlands Helsinki Committee (NHC)
Partner organisations:
The steering committee will include but not be limited to the following organisations:
- Free Legal Aid Ukraine
- Victim Support Netherlands
- Studiecentrum Rechtspleging (SSR) Netherlands
- Parket Generaal Netherlands
- Ukrainian Bar Association (UBA)
Contact information: For more details about this project, please contact the Netherlands Helsinki Committee.
