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Tajikistan Legal Support Program addressing the growing challenges for Civil Society

Deadline: 08-Jul-21

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is seeking applications for a Cooperative Agreement from qualified entities to implement the Tajikistan Legal Support Program to address the growing challenges for civil society to operate in a restrictive legal and regulatory environment, which limits its ability to effectively engage in, monitor, and advocate for public policy development.

In addition, the activity will undertake efforts to strengthen the rule of law by improving legal literacy and access to justice on both the demand and supply sides.

USAID seeks a program that has clear, measurable performance standards that will be used to monitor and track progress for USAID investments. USAID is seeking an evidence-based, cost-effective Activity that achieves the following results:

  • Improved legal enabling environment for civil society to effectively engage, monitor and advocate in public policy development;
  • Enhanced civil society role in legal empowerment of citizens through legal awareness, advocacy and participation to use laws to find solutions to their legal problems;
  • Improved professional competence of the judiciary, legal profession and lawmakers to provide all members of society with more effective and responsive services (Pilot interventions will start in the second year of implementation).

Theory of Change

USAID believes that:

  • If the legal and operating environment for civil society is improved to open up the civic space and enable citizen engagement in issues of public interest;
  • If civil society actors empower citizens to gain more legal awareness, engage in legal advocacy and participation to defend their rights and influence lawmaking;
  • If professional competence of the judiciary, legal professionals and lawmakers is improved to be more responsive to a range of stakeholders;
  • Then civil society and citizens will become active actors in public policy development and use laws to find solutions to their legal problems, and legal service providers and justice institutions will provide more accessible and better quality justice services in accordance with the rule of law principles and international standards.

Funding Information

  • USAID intends to award one Cooperative Agreement as a renewal award pursuant to this notice of funding opportunity.
  • Subject to funding availability and at the discretion of the Agency, USAID intends to provide $5,000,000 in total USAID funding over a five-year period.
  • The award shall have an initial period of two years not to exceed $2,000,000 in USAID funding with the possibility of to extend or renew the award by three additional years not to exceed $3,000,000 funding.

Targeted Beneficiaries

  • This Activity is expected to directly support CSOs to effectively engage in, monitor, and advocate for favorable civil society legislation and public policy developments, and expand the spaces for discussion and increase public dialogue with traditional and non-traditional civil society actors.
  • The Activity may engage with relevant government agencies to forge strategic relationships in bringing about improvements in the legal framework and implementation of the law.
  • In addition, the Activity is also expected to bridge the gap between CSOs and the general public by promoting citizen participation and engagement through legal awareness, legal advocacy and legal participation.
  • Non-traditional civil society actors may include previously underrepresented groups such as youth, women, people with disabilities, and the private sector, to increase legal empowerment of citizens to use the law to find solutions to their legal problems.

Geographic Focus

  • The primary geographic focus of the Activity will be in Dushanbe, where many civil society, governmental and justice institutions and service providers, most notably lawyers are concentrated.
  • Certain interventions that are oriented toward strengthening access to justice normative frameworks legislation, sub legal acts, and policies) and institutional capacity building for government agencies at the national level, will be conducted in Dushanbe.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Eligibility for this NOFO is not restricted. Organizations eligible to apply under this NOFO include, but are not necessarily limited to, U.S. and non-U.S. non-governmental organizations (NGOs), private voluntary organizations, public international organizations (PIOs), foundations, colleges and universities, civic groups, faith-based and community institutions, private businesses and associations, regional organizations, philanthropic organizations, and advocacy groups.
  • The Applicants are strongly encouraged to explore and/or establish a consortium or partnership with relevant national and international organizations involved in strengthening civil society operating environment and public policy engagement, and promoting rule of law, to integrate and coordinate multi-sectoral interventions.
  • USAID welcomes applications from organizations that have not previously received financial assistance from USAID.
  • Faith-based organizations are eligible to apply for federal financial assistance on the same basis as any other organization and are subject to the protections and requirements of Federal law.

For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=333987