U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan is currently inviting grant applications from qualified organizations from Afghanistan to assist in Implementation of the Coordinating Director for Rule of Law and Law Enforcement (CDROLLE) ”Access to Justice” program in the country. The main aim of the program is to improve access to the Afghan justice system and address organizational capacity in the Afghan justice sector. This program also seeks to raise Afghan awareness of legal rights.
About the Program
The CDROLLE assistance programs in Afghanistan have centered on efforts to improve the formal (e.g., Supreme Court, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Interior, and Attorney General’s Office) and informal justice institutions, to work on anti-corruption and illicit activities, to support the detentions and corrections system, to deal with policy issues and initiatives relating to strengthening the rule of law in Afghanistan, including gender-specific policies, and to support the creation of a strong and functioning civil society.
Funding Available
The US Department of State will have up to USD 2 million available to award multiple grants for up to $250,000 each.
Project Preferences
Below is a sample, though not exhaustive, list of the types of Rule of Law projects that CDROLLE will consider funding:
- Projects that improve access to justice, especially for minorities and women;
- Projects that strengthen civil society and build demand for justice;
- Legal and leadership training and development for women and other disadvantaged groups working, or seeking to work, in the justice sector;
- Legal assistance, shelter, and other services for those at risk for or victimized by violence against women and girls;
- Support for on-going anti-corruption and Rule of Law initiatives;
- Projects that strengthen the Government of Afghanistan’s public affairs and public awareness initiative within the Ministry of Justice, the Attorney General’s Office and the Supreme Court;
- Projects that build the capacity of lawyers, judges, investigators, and law enforcement officers to investigate and prosecute crimes, particularly involving violence against women and girls, in line with the Afghanistan’s Law on the Elimination of Violence against Women;
Eligibility Condition
Nonprofit organizations (NPOs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations (CSOs), universities, government agencies, community groups, women’s organizations, professional associations, social movements, business associations, and advocacy groups. Preference will be given to organizations that are Afghan-led.
Commercial firms headquartered in Afghanistan on a “cost only” basis – profit is not allowed under any grant award.
The Embassy encourages organizations that have not previously received international program funding from the USG to apply under this announcement. New applicants must demonstrate expertise and knowledge of the status of access to justice, and ability to communicate with the public, political and community leaders, and other stakeholders in strengthening the rule of law in Afghanistan.
Cost Sharing or Matching
This program does not require cost sharing. However, the applicant should provide information on any similar project it is implementing with funding from USG, USG contractor, or international organizations. Applicants who include additional in-kind and/or cash contributions from non-USG sources will be more competitive, since cost-sharing demonstrates a strong commitment to the planned activities and will be considered to show great cost-effectiveness.
All potential applicants should be knowledgeable of existing programs in the proposed provinces/regions, including any funded by USG, in order to avoid duplication of effort.
Last date for submitting the proposals is May 31, 2012.
For more information, visit this link and search by Funding Opportunity Number SCAKAB-12-AW-901-SCA-120811.
