The United States Government, as represented by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Central Asian Republics is seeking applications from prospective partners that are either Private Voluntary Organizations based in the United States (U.S. PVOs) or indigenous, local NGOs (LNGOs), Public International Organizations (PIO) and International Organizations (10), U.S. and Non-U.S. For-Profit Organizations, U.S. and Non-U.S. Colleges and Universities for Kazakhstan’s Judicial Independence Program in CAR region.
Goal and Objectives
The overarching goal of this program is to strengthen the independence of Kazakhstan’s Judiciary in partnership with the Supreme Court of Kazakhstan, building on that institution’s political will to build public trust and achieve greater alignment with internationally-recognized standards of accountability and performance. The objectives of this program are:
– Objective 1: Improved Administrative Systems within the Supreme Court
– Objective 2: Well-Trained Judges and Court Personnel
– Objective 4: Increased Public Understanding of Judicial Roles and Responsibilities
– Objective 4: Increased Capacity of a Local Institution to Provide Technical Assistance to the Supreme Court
Through improvements in judicial training and professionalism, the simplification of administrative processes and procedures, and increased public understanding of the roles and responsibilities of an independent judiciary, conducted in partnership with a local Kazakhstani organization, this program will help strengthen judicial independence and accountability, critical to improving the rule of law in Kazakhstan and ensuring the nation’s further progress towards a democratic society.
Judicial Independence Assessment
In consultation with USAID, the implementing organization is expected to design, develop and carry out a judicial independence assessment at both the beginning and the end of the program. The Year 1 assessment will establish a baseline of key judicial independence and transparency benchmarks whereas the Year 4 assessment will measure changes in these key judicial benchmarks as compared to the Year 1 assessment’s findings. It is expected that the mix of training, information and technical assistance provided as a part of this program will contribute towards improving judicial independence.
Geographic Coverage
In order to maximize the impact of this program, USAID expects that the program will be conducted in no more than 4 of the country’s 16 oblasts, including Almaty and Astana, of Kazakhstan. At least two oblasts must be in the south of Kazakhstan. The Applicant is expected to identify the targeted oblasts in their application and justify the choice of the selected oblasts.
Last date for submission of application is August 12, 2011
For more information and details, visit this link and search the Funding Opportunity Number RFA-176-11-000010.
