If you have a right, use it!

The objective of the “If You Have Rights, Use Them!” project was to improve the legal knowledge of people experiencing homelessness and poverty regarding the procedures that most directly affect their lives. The initiative helped participants gain access to legal tools, become familiar with available remedies, and exercise their rights during proceedings initiated against them.

The Debt Management video series provided essential, though not always widely understood, information that was highly relevant to the target group. It highlighted the importance of monitoring and managing official matters, meeting deadlines, and applying effective case-management and advocacy practices.

As part of the project, thematic training sessions were organized for people living in poverty to help them better understand their rights and represent themselves more confidently before public authorities. Special emphasis was placed on involving participants and creating a supportive environment that reduced feelings of social exclusion.

In addition, training sessions were delivered for social professionals to enable them to provide more effective assistance and to identify the most appropriate services and organizations to which people could be referred based on their specific legal or social issues.

In the long term, the project contributed to the mission of Utcajogász by promoting the ability of people living in poverty to exercise their fundamental rights, including the right to a fair trial, freedom from discrimination, and equality before the law. The training activities and video series provided practical tools that enabled participants to advocate more effectively for the protection and enforcement of these rights.