Aimed at long-term impact, COLPI’s activities are primarily designed to assist in the development of the legal infrastructure within the countries of operation, including legislation, the judiciary, prosecutors, legal aid actors, penitentiary system, psychiatric hospitals, the media, democratic armed forces, as well as legal education institutions (broadly defined). COLPI deals, in particular, with issues related to human rights and fundamental freedoms, rule of law, democracy and the protection of national minorities, with emphasis on projects concerning the weaker groups within society (e.g., detainees, women, children, ethnic minorities, and the mentally ill).

Also on COLPI’s agenda are special projects which seek to prevent conflicts and build political stability within a state and in the region, such as legal projects in the area of inter-ethnic relations.

Finally, COLPI’s activities aim to bring the law closer to the people in everyday life. In other words, COLPI seeks to effect change in the legal culture and mentality so that people will begin to consider the law as an instrument for protection of their rights.

About COLPI

The Constitutional & Legal Policy Institute (COLPI)* is a non-profit organization affiliated with the Open Society Institute-Budapest (OSI-Budapest) and the Central European University (CEU). Established in 1992 to assist in the development of states based upon the rule of law in Central and Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, and Mongolia, COLPI offers and applies its expertise and experience in working with local, regional, and international partners to successfully develop and implement a variety of programs and projects which meet the current demands for law reform.

In performing its activities, COLPI cooperates closely with all other partners in the Soros network, in particular with the local Soros foundations in 23 countries and with other network programs.

*Formerly called the Constitutional and Legislative Policy Institute