U.S. Department of State, Bureau of INL: Criminal Justice Civil Society Program #1

Deadline: 29 April 2019

The United States Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) is seeking applications from qualified U.S. and non-U.S. based non-governmental (NGOs) for a Grant to implement a program entitled “Criminal Justice Civil Society Program”.

The main goal of the program is to help Montenegro transition to a more effective and transparent criminal justice system by engaging citizens in the process through watchdog and monitoring activities, advocacy and policy-making, research, and public education. Grants are awarded to U.S. and local non-governmental organizations (NGOs), media, or other organizations that have a proven track record in the criminal justice field and good organizational capacities.

Project Goals

The Criminal Justice Civil Society Program aims to support up to two successful applications from NGOs from U.S. and Montenegro. Projects that this program aims to support should be focused on activities from the following areas:

Organized Crime
Fight against corruption
Transparency in criminal justice institutions
Countering Human Trafficking
Countering violent extremism, including rightwing, ethno-nationalist extremism
Counter-narcotics

Project Objectives

The Commission is interested in projects that support the engagement of the Montenegrin society in the criminal justice reform process. Topics may include, but are not limited to:

Organized Crime (Examples: support to the work of the new independent Special State Prosecutor for Organized Crime and Corruption; encouraging citizen watchdog activities involved in fighting organized crime; use of integrated, multi-agency approaches to fight organized crime.)
Corruption (Example: support to the work of the new preventive Anti-Corruption Agency; sector specific corruption proposals, focusing on particular corruption risk areas such as procurement, education, health care, etc.; avoiding public official conflict of interests; citizen watchdog activities regarding the public official asset declaration form system.)
Transparency in criminal justice institutions (Example: support to Press and Public Information Offices in courts, prosecution offices, and police; use of freedom of information procedures.)
Human Trafficking (Example: educational activities for raising awareness of the trafficking in persons, support to law enforcement agencies in identifying and processing cases of human trafficking)
Countering Violent Extremism, including rightwing, ethno-nationalist extremism (Example: public information and education campaigns to discourage Montenegrin citizens from serving as foreign fighters in the Middle East, Ukraine, and elsewhere; programs supporting ethnic and religious tolerance and moderation; programs researching and identifying trends in rightwing ethno-nationalist extremism; reintegration and rehabilitation of former foreign fighters.)
Counter-Narcotics (Example: demand reduction campaigns; diversion efforts; rehabilitation of addicted persons.)

Target Population

Applicants should identify target audiences, specific demographics, and the region(s) in which the project will be implemented. It is particularly important to specify the approximate number of beneficiaries to be directly and indirectly impacted by project activities.

Award Information

The anticipated total federal funding amount is not to exceed $100,000.
The period of performance is two (2) years with an anticipated start date of July 2019.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility for this NOFO is limited to:
- Applicants that qualify to receive U.S. grants (such as U.S. not-for-profit/nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) or U.S.-based educational institutions subject to section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. tax code; foreign not-for-profits/non-governmental organizations (NGOs) or foreign based educational institutions, with the ability to develop and successfully implement a project in Montenegro and meet INL’s reporting requirements. Organizations must also be able to demonstrate current (or pending) country registration in Montenegro, if required by the country of project implementation.
- Applicants must have demonstrated experience implementing similar education or capacity building programs, preferably in Montenegro. INL reserves the right to request additional background information on organizations that do not have previous experience administering similar programs and/or federal grant awards.
- Applicants must have the ability to produce course materials, deliver training, and conduct evaluations in Montenegrin and English. The applicant’s staff should be proficient in English in order to fulfill reporting requirements.
- Applicants must have existing, or the capacity to develop, active partnerships with stakeholders in order to successfully carry out the proposed program.
- Organizations may form a consortium and submit a combined proposal. However, one organization should be designated as the lead applicant and other members as sub-award partners.
- Applicants must be able to respond to the NOFO and be able to mobilize in a short period.
NOTE: Public International Organizations (PIOs) and For-Profit Organizations are excluded from applying to this grant announcement.
To be eligible for a grant award, in addition to other conditions of this NOFO, organizations must have a commitment to non‐discrimination with respect to beneficiaries and adherence to equal opportunity employment practices. INL is committed to an anti-discrimination policy in all of its programs and activities. INL welcomes applications irrespective of an applicant’s race, ethnicity, color, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or other status.
Applicants are reminded that U.S. Executive Orders and U.S. law prohibits transactions with, and the provision of resources and support to, individuals and organizations associated with terrorism. It is the legal responsibility of the recipient to ensure compliance with these Executive Orders and laws. This provision must be included in any sub‐awards issued under this grant award.
INL encourages applications from potential new partners.