When Bevel ON Association initiated the journey to become a legally registered association in Switzerland, the challenges were significant, and support was essential to establish a solid legal framework. For an organization committed to empowering displaced individuals to rebuild their lives and careers, this step was pivotal in laying a durable and sustainable foundation. With guidance from Baker McKenzie, matched through PILnet’s pro bono clearing house, Bevel ON’s mission to aid forcibly displaced communities in Europe gained the support and expertise it needed for a robust footing.
The organization’s mission is simple yet profound: to help forcibly displaced individuals regain financial independence through career development, job-search support, and entrepreneurship. For many, this is a process of rebuilding after losing everything. As Oleksandr Kryvosheyev, Bevel ON’s Public Affairs and Public Relations Advisor, explains, “Many of our participants are navigating professional turbulence, having lost what they built before. They’re now rebuilding their careers not just to support their families but to rediscover themselves as professionals.”
In the early stages, Bevel ON needed more than just legal advice—they needed a partner who understood the intricacies of their mission. The lawyer assigned by Baker McKenzie to support Bevel ON had personal experience of displacement; this understanding of displacement and the challenges faced by organizations like Bevel ON made the support especially valuable. “Our main contact has been particularly effective.. and provided empathetic support.” Oleksandr shared.
The pro bono partnership went far beyond the original advice that supported Bevel ON to be legally registered and included additional advice that enabled Bevel ON to establish a robust capacity-building course designed specifically to help displaced individuals gain professional skills and integrate into their new Swiss environment. This included legal advice on areas such as managing membership fees, and generating revenue through training programs, ensuring compliance with non-profit regulations, and clarifying issues related to member remuneration, all of which played an important role in shaping the course.
For Bevel ON, the impact of this legal support has been profound. With a firm legal foundation now in place, the organization can focus on what truly matters—empowering individuals to rebuild their careers, find stability, and regain their dignity.
“We didn’t have to take funds from what we had yet to raise to cover legal costs. Baker McKenzie helped us navigate the Swiss legal framework, offering clarity and actionable advice every step of the way.”
Bevel ON’s journey is a powerful reminder of the lasting impact that thoughtful, informed legal support can have on an organization—and on the communities it serves. Pro bono support can be more than just one-off advice; it can be a partnership that catalyzes the transformation and the empowerment of displaced individuals, so they can take meaningful steps toward reclaiming their futures.
