U.S. Mission to Georgia: Criminal Court Monitoring Program

Deadline: 8-Jul-21

U.S. Embassy Tbilisi – Department of Justice, Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training (DOJ-OPDAT) announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a long-term criminal court monitoring program (CMP) in the Georgian criminal courts.

The three stages of the trial-monitoring cycle include information gathering, analysis, and reporting. The CMP will be managed by a team leader (TL) who will be supported by a team of court monitors.

The TL will report to the grants officer and the DOJ-OPDAT Resident Legal Advisor (RLA) at U.S. Embassy, Tbilisi. The RLA will be responsible for everyday oversight and communication with the TL.

All reports and data will be submitted to the RLA within the required timeframes.

The aim of the CMP is to contribute to broader reforms in the Georgian criminal justice system and to support development of judicial structures that are independent, effective, and in compliance with human rights standards.

Program Objectives

To hold the justice system accountable for its actions by maintaining a public presence in the major criminal courts throughout Georgia;
To identify and report on problem patterns and issues within the court system and to propose practical solutions;
Obtain reliable information on criminal justice practices to support ongoing efforts to improve compliance with fair trial standards and judicial reform;
To improve the administration of justice through a holistic approach by monitoring actions of all criminal justice actors (i.e., judges, judicial staff, prosecutors, and defense attorneys); and
To identify areas where further U.S. engagement will increase the capacity of criminal justice actors.

Program Priorities

To maintain a constructive relationship with criminal justice system actors;
To recognize and attempt to understand the dilemmas and complexity of the decision that criminal justice system personnel face;
To help the criminal justice system reach its potential by identifying shortcomings, recommending practical solutions, and advocating for change;
To help to assure a balance is achieved between a defendant’s rights and the safety of the community; and
To communicate and share information, through CMP findings and reports, with their criminal justice partners, including the Prosecution Service of Georgia (PSG), judiciary (HCOJ), and Ministry of Justice (MOJ).

Funding Information

Length of Performance Period: One calendar year (12 months) with opportunity for extension upon agreement of the parties.
Number of Awards Anticipated: This is a single award. Based on availability of future funding, the grantee may be offered an extension of the performance period.
Award Amounts: The maximum award amount is $58,000 USD.
Total Available Funding: $58,000.

Eligibility Criteria