EUROPE JACQUES DELORS (EJD)

Supporting a Think Tank Committed to a Green Future

At Pro Publico, we believe that impactful civil society organizations deserve top-tier legal assistance. That’s why we matched the Brussels-based think tank Europe Jacques Delors (EJD) with leading global law firm Covington & Burling LLP. The result? A seamless pro bono collaboration that strengthened EJD’s legal framework, helping them focus on their critical mission: ensuring the EU’s green transition is both economically and socially viable.

 

Why Legal Support Was Essential

EJD operates at the heart of EU policy making, working on green agriculture, greening trade, and ocean protection policies to drive effective climate action. Though the organization was officially established in 2020, it continues to build its internal structure while relying on project-based funding. Additionally, they required expert guidance on GDPR compliance to ensure their public-facing and internal privacy disclosures met EU legal standards, and on their approach to contracting with fund grantors. This is where Pro Publico stepped in.

Matching EJD with a Top-Tier Pro Bono Legal Partner

Recognizing EJD’s needs, we referred them to Staś Kuźmierkiewicz, Pro Bono Lawyer at Covington & Burling LLP, a firm renowned for its commitment to pro bono service and expertise in regulatory and contractual matters. Under the leadership of Special Counsel Paul Maynard, Covington provided tailored legal solutions to EJD’s challenges.

From Legal Uncertainty to Stronger Foundations

The collaboration followed a structured approach:

  1. Initial Consultation: Covington held in-depth discussions with EJD to understand their operational model, funding mechanisms, and privacy concerns.
  2. GDPR Compliance: Paul Maynard worked closely with EJD to understand their data handling processes and craft public-facing and internal privacy policies aligned with the GDPR’s requirements.
  3. Grant Agreement Support:, Paul and Associate Will Capstick from Covington’s corporate and tech transactions team supported EJD in summarizing the more complex provisions of an existing grant agreement and developing a grant agreement template for EJD’s future use when receiving funds from donors.
  4. Iterative Feedback: the documents were refined in collaboration with EJD, ensuring they met the think tank’s specific needs.

The result? Greater understanding of the contractual terms EJD is subject to, and robust privacy disclosures that equip EJD with the tools to operate confidently and effectively.

 

Impact: A Think Tank Empowered to Drive Change

This legal support was a game-changer for EJD. According to Yevheniia Zhyla, Office Manager at EJD: “The pro bono assistance we received was excellent. The lawyer approached our needs with the same dedication and professionalism as any other client. The guidance provided was invaluable, leading to a positive outcome that met our expectations.”

She further highlighted the importance of Pro Publico’s matchmaking service:

“Without Pro Publico, we would not have had the important legal advice necessary for a small association. The process was efficient, professional and aligned with our needs.”

Pro Bono in Action: Why It Matters

This case is a powerful example of how pro bono legal support can strengthen civil society organizations. By ensuring compliance and contractual clarity, legal professionals help mission-driven organizations focus on what truly matters: making a positive impact.

At Pro Publico, we are proud to facilitate these meaningful connections. If your organization needs legal support or if your firm is interested in offering pro bono services, let’s connect.

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Thanks to @WillCapstick @PaulMaynard @StaśKuźmierkiewicz @Covington @SophiePornschlegel @YevheniiaZhyla @EuropeJacquesDelors  @FrancescoZatelli @ProPublico 

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