PILnet

Founded in 1997, PILnet is a non-governmental organisation based in Budapest, Hungary working on justice & legal aid, human rights, democracy & civil society +2 more.

PILnet is a global non-governmental organisation and network for public interest law, founded in 1997 as the Public Interest Law Initiative in Transitional Societies at Columbia University. It connects public interest lawyers and private sector lawyers with civil society organisations, providing free pro bono legal assistance through clearinghouses and programmes. In 2024 it assisted 215 civil society organisations through its clearinghouses. Its work spans Europe and Eurasia, Asia, Africa, Latin America and the global level, with offices in Budapest, Hong Kong and New York. PILnet runs convenings such as its annual Global Forum, a fellowship programme for lawyers, and student engagement and learning programmes. Its stated focus is protecting civic space, addressing global challenges and building just, equitable and sustainable societies.