What Our Partners Told Us: Strengthening the Rule of Law Through Collaboration
100% of Partners Report Positive Rule of Law Impact Through ROLE UK Partnerships
Strong partnerships are essential to advancing the rule of law.
At A4ID, our work is built on collaboration. We bring together legal expertise, development organisations, governments and civil society to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
One of our core programmes is the Rule of Law Expertise UK (ROLE UK) Programme, funded by the UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), which focuses on creating partnerships that connect UK legal expertise with legal actors in FCDO-focused countries, to improve and strengthen the rule of law in that country.
To better understand the value of these partnerships and identify opportunities for improvement, we undertake a yearly Partner Survey across our ROLE UK network.
This year the results were both encouraging and insightful.
Impact
- 100% of partners rated the overall impact of their ROLE UK-supported partnership on improving the Rule of Law as positive or very positive.
- Nearly 9 in 10 partners (89%) reported stronger laws, policies, and systems as a result of their partnership.
- 75% reported observable improvements in Rule of Law practices.
- 64% observed increased access to competent judicial processes.
- 54% observed an increase in precedent-setting judgments.
Why We Asked
Effective partnerships require trust, communication and a shared commitment to impact. At A4ID we are dedicated to using the law as a tool for sustainable development, we believe it is important to listen to those we work with and learn from their experiences.
The survey was designed to help us understand how partners perceive our support, what aspects of our collaboration are most valuable, and where we can strengthen our approach.
What We Heard
The feedback highlighted the strength of our relationships and the value that partners place on collaboration, expertise and shared purpose.
Many respondents emphasised the importance of access to legal expertise, the responsiveness of our team and the role A4ID plays in connecting organisations and professionals committed to advancing justice and development.
As one partner noted:
The ROLE UK-supported partnership has significantly contributed to strengthening the rule of law by enhancing legal awareness, improving access to justice for vulnerable communities, and supporting the capacity building of justice sector stakeholders.
Another shared:
The partnership has facilitated knowledge exchange, strengthened institutional practices, and promoted more responsive and inclusive legal services.
These comments reinforce the importance of partnership-led approaches to addressing complex development challenges.
Why Partnerships Matter
The rule of law cannot be strengthened by any one organisation acting alone.
Progress depends on collaboration across sectors, jurisdictions and disciplines. From improving access to justice and supporting legal empowerment to strengthening institutions and advancing human rights, sustainable change requires collective action.
Our survey findings remind us that effective partnerships are fundamental to achieving meaningful and lasting impact.
When organisations work together, they bring expertise, diverse perspectives and resources that can help address systemic barriers and support more inclusive and accountable institutions.
Listening and Learning
While we are encouraged by the positive feedback received, we recognise that there is always room to improve.
The survey also provided valuable suggestions that will help shape how we engage with partners in the future. We are committed to using these insights to strengthen communication, deepen collaboration and ensure that our services continue to meet the evolving needs of our network.
By seeking feedback and acting on what we learn, we can continue to improve the support we provide and maximise our collective impact.
Looking Ahead
As global challenges become increasingly complex, strong partnerships will be more important than ever.
We remain committed to working alongside our partners to advance the rule of law, promote access to justice and contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
To everyone who participated in the survey, thank you. Your feedback helps us learn, improve and continue building partnerships that create meaningful change.
Together, we can harness the power of law to build a more just and equitable world.
Find out more about our Rule of Law Expertise Programme and ways to get involved:
