Over the course of two years (2024–2026), this program was a deeply transformative professional experience. It required coordinating academic actors, civil society organizations (CSOs), students, local authorities, and vulnerable beneficiaries, while ensuring that the Legal Clinic operated with professionalism, ethical standards, and measurable impact. The program “Promoting Civil Society with University – Oriental Region” was implemented through a strategic partnership between the High Atlas Foundation (HAF) and Mohammed Premier University in Oujda, with support from the National Endowment for Democracy. 

The program was built on a clear vision: combining academic excellence with community service to improve access to justice for vulnerable populations while equipping students with practical legal experience. It responded to a pressing regional need: limited access to free legal consultation, particularly for women, migrants, and economically disadvantaged groups.

Capacity Building and Academic Integration

A total of 76 Master’s and PhD students were selected and trained to participate in the Legal Clinic. Alongside them, 20 representatives from civil society organizations across seven provinces of the Oriental region–Oujda, Berkane, Jerada, Nador, Guerssif, and Taourirt–were engaged in the program’s training and coordination phases. This collaborative approach ensured that academic knowledge was closely aligned with real community needs.

Activities focused on specific needs of marginalized communities in the Oriental. The academic part contained practical training in immigration and asylum, human trafficking, family mediation, legal consultation techniques, case analysis soft skills, and community mapping. On the other hand, the social part focused on fundraising and grant writing, advocacy for human rights, strategic planning, organizational diagnosis of associations, and following public policy. The engagement of the university students and CSO representatives started from building their capacities and united their academic and practical knowledge.

The collaboration between students and civil society representatives enhanced trust and created a sustainable network of actors committed to promoting access to justice. The Legal Clinic became a platform where university resources were mobilized in direct service of the community.

“This experience highlights the importance of academic openness to the surrounding community and confirms that involving students in real-life initiatives contributes to both their professional and civic development at the same time.”- CSO representative.

From the engagement of university students and CSOs, we observed a tangible impact of academia in the field. For example, during a mobile legal clinic session organized in partnership with Al Chourouk Association for Mental Health, the association’s president witnessed the transformative impact of legal awareness on individuals facing psychosocial vulnerability. Inspired by the collaboration between civil society and academia, and by the tangible change created through access to rights-based knowledge, she decided to resume her studies in sociology. She is now a Master’s student, committed to bridging academic research and community action. This case reflects the powerful impact of engaging CSOs and universities together, creating a sustainable cycle of empowerment where knowledge not only supports beneficiaries but also strengthens community leaders themselves.

Mobile Legal Clinics and Information Sessions

One of the most impactful components of the program was the organization of 12 mobile legal clinics across the Oriental region. These clinics were designed to reach communities facing geographic, financial, and/or informational barriers to accessing legal support.

Through these mobile clinics:

• 263 individuals directly benefited from outreach activities and legal awareness sessions
• 144 free legal consultations were provided to migrants, women, and other vulnerable populations

The legal matters addressed included family law disputes, labor rights issues, civil documentation procedures, migration status regularization, and social protection rights. For many beneficiaries, the clinic represented their first opportunity to receive professional legal advice.

By offering free and confidential consultations, the program reduced inequalities in access to legal services. It also strengthened public confidence in legal mechanisms and encouraged individuals to pursue formal solutions to their challenges rather than informal or unresolved arrangements.

In addition to in-person services, legal awareness was disseminated through radio programs and public information sessions. This broadened outreach efforts and reinforced a culture of rights awareness throughout the region. A total of 36 Legal Information briefings were introduced through the above mentioned activities in different topics such as immigration, work law, family, inheritance rights, administration, and more.

One of the cases addressed through the mobile legal clinic in Oujda involved an Algerian woman married to a Moroccan national for nearly 30 years who had endured prolonged domestic violence and repeated threats of deportation. Due to economic dependence, health challenges, and responsibility for a daughter requiring medical care, she was unable to leave the marital home or pursue divorce. The clinic focused on legal counseling, clarifying her legal status and confirming that the deportation threats had no legal basis, which restored her confidence and sense of security. She was also referred to a local civil society organization for income-generating activities and psychosocial support, strengthening her autonomy and resilience without immediate judicial intervention.

Women’s Empowerment 

Recognizing that women often encounter structural barriers in accessing justice, the program incorporated a targeted empowerment component. Three women’s empowerment workshops were organized in Oujda, Berkane, and Nador, benefiting 54 women.

These workshops focused on legal literacy, economic rights, civic participation, and personal leadership. Participants gained knowledge about family law provisions, inheritance rights, administrative procedures, and available protection mechanisms. Beyond legal information, the sessions fostered self-confidence and encouraged women to take active roles in community life.

This gender-focused approach contributed to promoting equality before the law and strengthening women’s agency in both private and public spheres. The combination of legal education and empowerment strategies ensured that beneficiaries were not only informed of their rights but also better equipped to claim them.

In one of our women’s empowerment, a participant shared how she had always refused financial help, believing that accepting support meant weakness or future obligation. Through facilitating the Growing Edge in Money Area, a dialogue and reflection within the group, she realized that this belief stemmed from past experiences of shame. Supported by a safe space created through the partnership between civil society and academia, she began to see receiving support as an act of trust rather than vulnerability. Her story reflects the powerful impact of women’s empowerment initiatives in building confidence, emotional resilience, and healthier social connections.

Digital Civic Initiatives and Sustainability

To ensure broader and long-term impact, the program launched a series of digital civic initiatives aimed at expanding legal awareness and different aspects among youth and the wider public. Digital platforms were used to disseminate legal information, promote civic dialogue, and share awareness materials.

Extension for Greater Regional Impact (2026–2028)

The achievements of 2024–2026 provide a strong foundation for extending the initiative for an additional two years. Continuing the program from 2026 to 2028 would allow for geographic expansion, increased student participation, and deeper institutional integration.

An extension would make it possible to:

• Increase the number of mobile legal clinics in rural and marginalized areas
• Train new cohorts of students to ensure continuity and sustainability
• Strengthen partnerships with additional civil society organizations
• Expand digital legal consultation services
• Provide more specialized support to migrants and women in vulnerable situations

By building on the established structure and lessons learned, the extended phase would further enhance access to justice, promote equality, and contribute to long-term democratic development in the Oriental region. The Legal Clinic model has demonstrated its effectiveness; expanding it will ensure that even more individuals benefit from professional legal support and meaningful inclusion within the justice system.