Programme Operator
Ministry of Justice of Bulgaria
Donor Programme Partners
Ministry of Justice and Public Security (Norway)
Norwegian Correctional Service Directorate (KDI)
Norwegian Courts Administration (NCA)
International Partner Organisation
Council of Europe
The Role of the Norwegian Courts Administration
Within the Justice Programme, the NCA acts as a Donor Programme Partner (DPP) for the programme area Access to Justice (PA11). The NCA contributes to the development and implementation of the programme, participates in cooperation structures, and shares experience and expertise from the Norwegian court administration. The NCA is also a project partner in several initiatives aimed at strengthening the independence, accountability, quality and efficiency of the courts.
Access to Justice
The objective of the programme area is to strengthen access to an independent, accountable and efficient justice system of high quality. Efforts focus in particular on judicial independence and accountability, capacity building, digitalisation, improved services for court users, and increased public trust in the courts. The programme will also contribute to better access to legal information and services for vulnerable groups.
Pre-defined Projects
PDP: Strengthening the Capacity of the Justice System
· Training for judges, prosecutors and other justice sector professionals
· Strengthened expertise in human rights and European law
· Establishment of a leadership programme for court leaders
· Development of a professional human rights network and community of practice
· Modernisation of training facilities and digital learning resources
The project aims to improve the quality of judicial work, promote more consistent practice, and strengthen the independence and accountability of the justice system.
PDP: Strengthening Judicial Governance, Accountability and Digitalisation
· Analyses and recommendations to improve court efficiency and judicial processes
· Measures to strengthen court governance and management
· Development of digital solutions
· Improved use of data and statistics
· Enhanced communication and transparency towards the public
· Exchange of experience between the NCA Board and the Bulgarian Judicial Council
The project aims to contribute to more efficient and transparent courts, better services for citizens, and increased trust in the justice system.
PDP: Strengthening Early Access to Justice and Legal Aid
· Training for legal aid lawyers
· Development of digital learning tools
· Strengthened expertise in human rights, non-discrimination and child-friendly justice
· Improved access to legal information and guidance for vulnerable groups
· Further development of cooperation with local stakeholders and organisations
The project aims to ensure that more people gain access to legal information and assistance at an early stage.
Open Calls
An open call will be launched for projects that strengthen access to justice, with particular emphasis on the rule of law, judicial independence, accountability and transparency. The call may support:
· Analysis and monitoring of judicial independence and accountability
· Measures that increase transparency and public access to information about the work of the courts
· Development of user-oriented information about the justice system
· Collection of feedback from court users
· Activities that promote knowledge of the rule of law and the role of the courts in society
· Measures that strengthen public debate on judicial independence and trust in the justice system
· Legal information and guidance for vulnerable groups
The call will contribute to a more independent, accountable and transparent justice system, better access to legal information, and increased public trust in the courts.
Bilateral Cooperation
Cooperation between Bulgaria and Norway will be strengthened through study visits, expert meetings, seminars, conferences and joint professional activities. The NCA will share experience from the Norwegian court administration in areas such as judicial independence, accountability, digitalisation, leadership and user-oriented services.