<![CDATA[Legal aid is a state instrument designed to guarantee the constitutional rights of every citizen to equal standing before the law. However, limited legal literacy has prevented many disadvantaged communities from understanding their entitlement to free legal assistance, thereby restricting access to justice. This community service program was specifically aimed at: (1) enhancing legal literacy among low-income residents in Talumopatu Village; (2) providing practical knowledge regarding the legal basis, eligibility criteria, and procedures for applying to accredited Legal Aid Institutions (LBH); (3) encouraging community members to seek consultation and resolve legal issues through formal mechanisms; and (4) strengthening the capacity of village officials and community leaders as legal information agents. The novelty of this program lies in the integration of the Participatory Learning and Action (PLA) approach with legal education, case-based learning, and direct consultation, combined with quantitative evaluation through pre-tests and post-tests. Unlike similar initiatives, this program focused on vulnerable groups in remote rural areas and emphasized not only knowledge acquisition but also behavioral change—particularly the increased confidence of participants to utilize legal aid services. The results demonstrated significant improvement in participants’ understanding of legal aid procedures and strengthened trust in legal aid institutions. This program contributes to expanding community access to justice and offers a replicable model of community-based legal empowerment in rural contexts..]]>
