Street Law’s Impact in Uzbekistan: Building Legal Capacity and Sustaining Civic Engagement 

Since 2018, Street Law, Inc. has been at the forefront of transforming public legal education in Uzbekistan, partnering with law schools to establish programs that build legal knowledge in both classrooms and communities. Driven by enthusiasm from the country’s law school community, our initiatives have grown in scope and are leaving a lasting impact on Uzbekistan’s legal education and civic engagement landscapes.  

Law School-Based Public Legal Education: A People-Centered Justice Approach 

Law school-based public legal education initiatives, which aim to foster a broader understanding of the law and strengthen support for the rule of law, are central to Street Law, Inc.’s mission. These “street law” programs exemplify a people-centered justice approach by equipping citizens—particularly those from underserved communities—with practical and accessible legal knowledge and skills. These initiatives empower people to understand and assert their legal rights, to address everyday legal challenges and ultimately gain better access to justice. Moreover, they strengthen practical skills and cultivate a citizen-focused mindset among future lawyers, fostering problem-solving abilities that empower people directly.

Uzbekistan does not have a strong history of rule of law. The World Justice Project’s 2016 Rule of Law Index ranked Uzbekistan in the bottom 25% of countries included. However, the country has made strides in recent years with reforms aimed at combating corruption, promoting judicial independence, and enhancing access to justice. By 2024, Uzbekistan improved significantly in the Rule of Law Index, to 83^rd of 142 countries. Recognizing the vital role law schools can play in advancing these reforms, Street Law has sought to help establish and support public legal education programs in Uzbekistan. 

In 2018, with support from the U.S. State Department, Street Law developed a curriculum focused on practical law and the principles of rule of law. This effort included a pilot program where law students at Tashkent State University School of Law (TSUL) taught the curriculum to local schoolchildren. Street Law envisioned this pilot as the first step toward a nationwide rollout, in which we would collaborate with the government of Uzbekistan to expand the program’s reach and impact.  

From Presidential Decree to a Nationwide Rollout 

A pivotal moment came in 2019, when President Mirziyoyev issued a decree calling for widespread implementation of street law programs to increase legal awareness across Uzbekistan. This occurred against the backdrop of several legal reforms; however, the true impact of these reforms hinged on citizens’ abilities to understand, navigate, and apply the law effectively in their daily lives. Recognizing this need, it became clear that young lawyers and law students must not only understand these laws but also develop the skills necessary to communicate them clearly to everyday citizens and clients.  

The time was ripe for Street Law and TSUL to expand their model nationwide. Building on the success of the pilot program, our organizations leveraged the country’s network of legal technical schools, located in Tashkent and all 13 regions of Uzbekistan. 

With active programs now established at over a dozen of these schools, this emerging network required substantial support to ensure access to high-quality curricular materials, effective instructional methods, and opportunities to learn and strengthen their programs by connecting with other legal technical schools implementing public legal education programs. 

In fall 2021, we deepened our commitment to Uzbekistan by growing our support efforts in partnership with Regional Dialogue, backed by funding from the U.S. Department of State. This collaboration has strengthened street law programs nationwide, helping to bridge the gap between modern legal reforms and the everyday understanding of the law among citizens.  

Key Results 

Street Law has achieved significant progress in Uzbekistan through targeted capacity building, virtual mentoring for law faculty, and the facilitation of the country’s inaugural Street Law Academy, which brought together 16 universities and legal technical schools. These efforts have delivered impressive outcomes in both skill-building and sustainability.  

Building Critical Skills 

Street law programs are a valuable professional development tool for law students, boosting their confidence and competence in explaining complex legal concepts. According to observational data and surveys, law students developed essential lawyering skills, including their public speaking, classroom engagement, and communication abilities.  

Another notable outcome is the transition from traditional lectures and rote learning, which are prevalent in Uzbekistan, to more engaging, interactive teaching methods. With Street Law’s guidance, law school faculty embraced these innovative approaches, learning and practicing interactive techniques before applying them to create their own dynamic lesson plans.  

These interactive methods not only benefit law students but also create a richer learning environment for the schoolchildren receiving the lessons. Topics such as gender equity and human rights—central to Uzbekistan’s ongoing reforms—are taught in ways that foster deeper understanding and engagement. 

Resources for Sustainability 

From the outset, sustainability has been a key focus of Street Law’s work in Uzbekistan. To ensure the program’s longevity, Street Law helped establish a resource library containing 24 lesson plans and a detailed teaching guide. This library will serve as a valuable, enduring asset, supporting future faculty and law students who continue to implement the program. 

In addition, a collaborative network of TSUL and the 14 legal technical schools, connected through active Telegram channels, ensures the continuity of the program, even in the face of staffing changes or leadership transitions. This network helps maintain the program’s momentum and ensures that the benefits are sustained over time. 

Impact on Communities  

The ripple effect of law school-based public legal education programs has been profound. Over the past three years, law students taught more than 24,000 schoolchildren about their rights, responsibilities, and the legal system. Each year, approximately 600 law students taught at 190 high schools, significantly amplifying legal knowledge and fostering legal awareness across Uzbekistan.  

Looking Ahead  

Street Law’s work in Uzbekistan has laid a solid foundation for a more legally informed society. By empowering future lawyers and creating a sustainable model for public legal education, the program is poised to benefit communities for years to come.  

As this phase of work concludes, the impact of bringing together legal educators and law students for collaboration is evident. Building on this momentum, Street Law is excited about the potential to expand cross-school partnerships and broader engagement. With a robust network and a comprehensive resource library in place, Uzbekistan is well-positioned to expand legal awareness nationwide.  

To maintain and amplify progress, ongoing support for additional academies and capacity-building initiatives is essential. Continued collaboration between law schools will foster deeper connections and growth, driving Uzbekistan forward on its path to widespread legal empowerment and stronger rule of law.