| Overview : The Paralegal Advisory Service Institute (PASI) is implementing the Access to Justice through Village Mediation and Paralegal Services Project. The project is funded by the European Union (EU) under the Chilungamo (Justice and Accountability) Programme and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). This is a four-year project running from 1st January 2018 to 31st December 2021. The Paralegal Advisory Service Institute (PASI) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) signed an Agreement on 19th February 2018 which sets out the commitments and responsibilities of the two institutions regarding the management and implementation of the Access to Justice through Village Mediation and Paralegal Advisory Services Project under the Chilungamo (Justice and Accountability) programme. The four-year project seeks to avail appropriate paralegal services in communities, district courts, police and prisons across the country as well as provide village mediation services in communities, and support diversion of minor cases out of the formal criminal justice system so as to substantially reduce the number of people entering pre-trial detention and reduce the duration of their detention pending conclusion of their cases. Under the agreement, PASI is to provide national paralegal advisory services in police stations, courts, and prisons as well as provide village mediation services in selected communities. PASI will also facilitate diversion of minor cases out of the criminal justice system through paralegal officers and village mediators. The project will provide legal assistance to over 317,000 persons as well as provide mediation services to resolve at least 58,000 local level disputes. The two major PASI interventions will therefore have significant benefit to the value of Malawi’s justice system. PASI is planning to engage a consultant to conduct a mid-term evaluation. The project focus on delivering the following results: Output 1: A well-functioning and sustainable mediation service at community level established for criminal and non-criminal matters. Output 2: An effective diversion scheme for minor offences established to benefit both the formal and informal justice sectors. Output 3: Strengthened provision of first legal aid services (advice, assistance and legal empowerment) to the poor and vulnerable people in conflict with the law in Malawi. Output 4: Strengthening coordination mechanisms to ensure efficient and effectiveflow of information and delivery of justice in the criminal justice agencies and the community. Output 5: Strengthened effective and efficient management, partnership formation, research and M and E. | 
