Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor: Supporting Justice Sector Reform

Deadline: 22 December 2016

The US Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) is inviting organizations interested for projects that increase transparency of and accountability within the judicial process in Tunisia.

DRL seeks to support projects that will enhance ongoing justice sector reforms in Tunisia by supporting civilian capacity to understand, oversee, and engage in these efforts. Programs will promote accountability in the judicial sector by strengthening the ability of key justice actors to collaborate and engage effectively on both the demand and supply sides.

Focus Areas and Program Approaches

Improving the Implementation of the Established Right to Legal Counsel
Facilitating engagement of independent legal advocates or non-governmental organizations offering legal aid support;
Promoting data collection regarding pretrial representation and case outcomes;
Establishing quality standards for the provision of legal counsel for indigent defendants based on international and regional best practices;
Providing ongoing training to legal assistance providers in providing quality defense counsel;
Increasing access to prisoner/detainee information for families, independent legal advocates, and non-governmental organizations.
Increasing Accountability and Transparency of the Judicial Process through Media Engagement.
Increasing the capacity of journalists and bloggers to effectively, safely, and accurately report on court procedures, trials, and legal reforms;
Fostering collaboration and trust between media and legal professionals;
Establishing clear standards and best practices for court reporting.
Increasing Public Awareness and Understanding of New Judicial Legal Reforms, Institutions, and Processes.
Increasing civil society engagement with the Ministry of Justice to foster knowledge and effective communication of judicial reforms;
Increasing public awareness on how to connect with and leverage existing judicial processes and mechanisms, including through the support of access to justice organizations throughout Tunisia;
Increasing civil society and media monitoring and reporting on progress on and violations of judicial and legislative reforms, and/or conditions in prisons and other detention facilities;
Implementing “know your rights” campaigns to increase citizen awareness of new judicial reforms or processes. Successful applicants will also demonstrate how programs proposing an increase in awareness also incorporate elements of improved implementation of those reforms or processes, either concurrently or in the near-term.

Funding Information

DRL anticipates having approximately $3,000,000 available to support approximately two to five successful applications submitted in response to this NOFO, subject to the availability of funding.
Applicants can submit up to three applications in response to this solicitation.
Applications should not request less than $500,000 and no more than $2,000,000.
Organizations may propose projects that would address multiple focus areas in one proposal, but the ceiling of requested funding may not exceed $2,000,000.
Applicants should include an anticipated start date between February 2017-April 2017 and the period of performance should be between 18 months to 3 years.

Eligibility Criteria

DRL welcomes applications from U.S.-based and foreign-based non-profit organizations/nongovernment organizations (NGO) and public international organizations; private, public, or state institutions of higher education; and for-profit organizations or businesses.
DRL’s preference is to work with non-profit entities; however, there may be some occasions when a for-profit entity is best suited.
Applicants must have existing, or the capacity to develop, active partnerships with thematic or in-country partners, entities and relevant stakeholders, including private sector partners and NGOs, and have demonstrable experience in administering successful and preferably similar projects.
DRL encourages applications from foreign-based NGOs headquartered in the geographic regions/countries relevant to this NOFO. Applicants may form consortia and submit a combined application. However, one organization should be designated as the lead applicant with the other members as sub-award partners.
DRL reserves the right to request additional background information on applicants that do not have previous experience administering federal grant awards, and these applicants may be subject to limited funding on a pilot basis.
DRL is committed to an anti-discrimination policy in all of its projects and activities.
DRL welcomes applications irrespective of an applicant’s race, ethnicity, color, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or other status. DRL encourages applications from organizations working with the most at risk and vulnerable communities, including women, youth, persons with disabilities, members of ethnic or religious minority groups, and LGBTI persons.

How to Apply

Applicants can find application forms, kits, or other materials needed to apply at the address given on the website.

For more information, please visit grants.gov.