We are pleased to announce that Rwanda has been honored with the inaugural  Commonwealth Access to Justice Innovation Awards. The award recognizes Rwanda’s exemplary efforts in enhancing access to legal services for vulnerable populations through two pioneering initiatives: Abunzi (Mediators) Committee Project and the Integrated Electronic Case Management System (IECMS).

These innovative projects have contributed to Rwanda’s pursuit of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 16.3, which aims to ensure equal justice for all. The IECMS, launched in 2016, has revolutionized the judicial process by automating procedures and enabling efficient information sharing among institutions, thereby accelerating the delivery of justice.

The awards were presented to Rwanda’s Minister of Justice, Dr. Emmanuel Ugirashebuja, by Patricia Scotland, the Secretary General of the Commonwealth, during the 2024 Commonwealth Law Ministers Meeting (CLMM) held in Zanzibar from March 4-8, 2024.

Dr. Ugirashebuja shared his thoughts on the importance of innovation in the realm of justice. He emphasized the goal of ensuring widespread access to justice and the provision of appropriate means for resolving disputes. He acknowledged the instrumental role of technology in achieving these objectives, noting that the receipt of the award was a welcome acknowledgment of their efforts and success in this domain.

Synergy strongly appreciates the long-term partnership with the Ministry of Justice of Rwanda. This award marks a significant milestone in the collaborative efforts to enhance access to justice.

Synergy International Systems, Inc. (“Synergy”) is a software development and consulting tech company built on hard work, dedication, and a commitment to excellence. Founded in 1997, we have worked in more than 80 countries to help organizations and governments to become more data driven. We are a privately held, 200+ person company headquartered in the Washington, D.C. metro area, USA, with a Development and Global Learning Center in Armenia, and offices in the Netherlands and Rwanda. Synergy has achieved ISO/IEC 27001:2013 and ISO 9001:2015 to certify its Information Security and Quality Management Systems (ISMS and QMS).

Synergy is pleased to announce the signing of the contract and commencement of work on the development of the social protection Management Information System (MIS) for the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour of Haiti (MAST). In November 2023, following a rigorous tendering process, Synergy, in collaboration with the consulting firm Papyrus, was chosen to undertake this important project.

In 2021, MAST launched the “Adaptive Social Protection Project for Increased Resilience” (Projet de Proteccion Sociale Adaptive pour une Resilience Accrue, PSARA) aimed at promoting its strategic and operational objectives as outlined in the National Policy for Social Protection and Promotion (PNPPS). This cash transfer program aimed to establish an adaptive safety net system to effectively respond to shocks. The program also includes a shock response component, as well as accompanying measures such as financial inclusion as well as health, hygiene and nutrition. With this initiative, MAST issued a call for proposals to select a provider to supply a digital tool for automating, managing, and facilitating social transfers.

The project envisions rolling out the social safety net Klere Chimen, which aims to assist vulnerable households with children under the age of five, expectant mothers, or individuals with disabilities by addressing their immediate food needs.

The process of digitalizing operations associated with the service delivery chain of the Klere Chimen program entails creating an integrated MIS. This system will be designed not only to expand but also to accommodate the requirements of potential future national programs. The MIS will be equipped to communicate with payment solutions provided by financial service providers, streamlining social transfers to the project’s target demographics, especially those most in need.

In 2021 and 2022, the World Food Programme (WFP) and MAST conducted comprehensive research both domestically and internationally. Drawing upon the comparative analysis of systems in countries facing similar socio-economic and human development challenges as Haiti, MAST has pinpointed the critical success factors for an MIS tailored to Haiti’s context.

This notable project will leverage the robust capabilities of Synergy Auxillium – Synergy’s proprietary social protection product. To be implemented in French, the project will mark a significant milestone in the Caribbean region, complementing to other social protection solutions developed by Synergy in the Bahamas, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, among others.

Synergy International Systems, Inc. (“Synergy”) is a software development and consulting tech company built on hard work, dedication, and a commitment to excellence. Founded in 1997, we have worked in more than 80 countries to help organizations and governments to become more data driven. We are a privately held, 200+ person company headquartered in the Washington, D.C. metro area, USA, with a Development and Global Learning Center in Armenia, and offices in the Netherlands and Rwanda. Synergy has achieved ISO/IEC 27001:2013 and ISO 9001:2015 to certify its Information Security and Quality Management Systems (ISMS and QMS).

In a remarkable move towards improving aid management and transparency through technological advancement, the Seychelles government has launched an Aid Information Management System (AIMS) designed and implemented by Synergy. This cutting-edge system streamlines aid coordination, improves decision-making, and strengthens accountability in the allocation and use of foreign funds.

Seychelles, a beautiful archipelago nation in the Indian Ocean, has long been a recipient of development assistance from various international donors and organizations. While aid plays a vital role in supporting the country’s development goals, effective management and coordination have often posed challenges. To address those challenges, the Seychelles government commissioned Synergy for the design and development of AIMS in February 2023. This project aligns with Seychelles’ objective of achieving economic stability after the COVID-19 pandemic and is closely linked to AfDB’s Crisis Response Budget Support (CRBS) initiative.

Powered by Synergy’s IDM 8 platform, the AIMS project enhances Seychelles’ capacity to attract and manage international funds. It addresses gaps in aid management by creating a centralized repository for foreign aid data, promoting transparency in public resource management, and supporting the CRBS objectives of fiscal consolidation and debt management. The project focuses on strengthening the government’s aid management function, establishing a central database for foreign grants, improving aid data coordination, and enhancing the government’s capacity for balanced financing and payment obligations over the medium-to-long term. Synergy’s low-code technology reduces transaction costs and ensures sustainability through an enhanced country system.

This initiative represents a significant step forward for Seychelles in its post-COVID economic recovery strategy. It reaffirms the commitment to sound fiscal consolidation and efficient aid management. During a meeting with the Ministry of Finance on December 15, 2023, officials emphasized the crucial role of AIMS in managing a major aid donation following a recent disaster in early December.

Government officials responsible for aid management use essential AIMS modules such as Projects, Contracts, Donor Profiles, Foreign Donations, and Reporting to monitor data related to various sectors. These sectors include Finance, National Planning and Trade, Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, Climate Change, and Environment. Through these modules, stakeholders record the details of the foreign funds received, allocate those funds across different projects implemented in the country, select donors, implementers, and contractors for those projects, track the project implementation, and generate various analytical reports based on the data in the system.

As end users start to use the system, Synergy remains dedicated to providing technical support for AIMS. Recognizing the system’s critical role in advancing aid management capabilities, Synergy pledges ongoing assistance to ensure a seamless and effective use of the system. The commitment extends beyond the initial implementation phase and focuses on continuous enhancements, addressing emerging needs and facilitating user training.

The AIMS project is Synergy’s 37th Development Assistance Database (DAD) and showcases the company’s commitment to employing technology for good.

Synergy International Systems, Inc. (“Synergy”) is a software development and consulting tech company built on hard work, dedication, and a commitment to excellence. Founded in 1997, we have worked in more than 80 countries to help organizations and governments to become more data driven. We are a privately held, 200+ person company headquartered in the Washington, D.C. metro area, USA, with a Development and Global Learning Center in Armenia, and offices in the Netherlands and Rwanda. Synergy has achieved ISO/IEC 27001:2013 and ISO 9001:2015 to certify its Information Security and Quality Management Systems (ISMS and QMS).

In an effort to enhance social assistance delivery and bolster the overall welfare of its citizens, the Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has partnered with Synergy to implement the Social Assistance Management Information System (SAMIS). The initiative is part of the Human Development Service Delivery Project, supported by the World Bank.

The Human Development Service Delivery Project, a key priority for the Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, aims to improve the quality and efficiency of service delivery in education, enhance the administrative capabilities of social assistance programs, and strengthen labor market systems within the country.

Recognizing the need for a comprehensive social protection system, the government has entrusted Synergy with the task of designing, supplying, and installing SAMIS powered by Synergy’s proprietary product – Auxilium. As a cutting-edge platform, SAMIS will serve as a unified framework for managing various social assistance programs, including Social Protection, Child Development, Gender Affairs, Youth Development, Co-operative and Community Development, as well as Housing and Informal Settlements.

The implementation of SAMIS was officially initiated in June 2023 with a two-week needs assessment mission led by Synergy Auxilium Program Director Lilit Gasparyan and Project Manager Lia Harutyunyan. During this crucial phase, the Synergy team collaborated closely with government officials and key stakeholders to understand the specific requirements and challenges faced by the country’s social assistance programs.

Speaking about the project, Lilit Gasparyan expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “We are delighted to partner with the Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to implement SAMIS. Our mission is to leverage technology to empower governments and optimize social service delivery. Through this transformative platform, we aim to streamline processes, improve efficiency, and ensure that the most vulnerable members of society receive the support they need.”

SAMIS is set to revolutionize the social assistance landscape in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines by facilitating seamless coordination, data management, and analysis across various government departments. By centralizing information and implementing advanced reporting mechanisms, SAMIS will enable policymakers to make informed decisions, identify gaps in service delivery, and design targeted interventions to uplift disadvantaged individuals and communities.

This collaboration marks Synergy’s expansion into the Caribbean region, solidifying its global leadership in government technology solutions. With a proven track record worldwide, Synergy will drive positive change and contribute to the development of the country. The implementation of SAMIS by Synergy represents a significant milestone, leveraging technology to create a brighter future and a more inclusive social protection system for all citizens.

Synergy International Systems, Inc. (“Synergy”) is a software development and consulting tech company built on hard work, dedication, and a commitment to excellence. Founded in 1997, we have worked in more than 80 countries to help organizations and governments to become more data driven. We are a privately held, 200+ person company headquartered in the Washington, D.C. metro area, USA, with a Development and Global Learning Center in Armenia, and offices in the Netherlands and Rwanda. Synergy has achieved ISO/IEC 27001:2013 and ISO 9001:2015 to certify its Information Security and Quality Management Systems (ISMS and QMS).