As civil society in Central America faces escalating threats, from sweeping regulatory reforms to drastic government funding cuts, pro bono legal support stands as a vital lifeline for frontline organizations and human rights defenders.

By leveraging the resources and expertise of the private legal sector, these cross-sector partnerships help organizations stay compliant, safeguard operations, and continue defending the communities that need it most. However, many civil society actors are unfamiliar with available pro bono options, or don’t know how to access them.

The Vance Center and its regional partners draw on over 20 years of experience connecting civil society with vital legal services, in Central America and globally. This session will show how pro bono goes beyond immediate legal relief: it builds legal resilience and mobilizes institutions, strengthening the ability of civic actors to protect their communities, demand transparency and advance equitable civic participation.

Note: This room has capacity for approximately 20 participants. Attendees will be allowed into this workshop on a first-come-first-served basis. Due to the room size, this session will not include simultaneous interpretation.