Deadline: 3-Jul-23
The United States Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, is seeking applications from qualified U.S. and non-U.S. based non-governmental/nonprofit organizations (NGOs) for a Grant to implement a program entitled “Mobilizing Civil Society to Monitor, Analyze and Report on Selective Justice in the Republic of Moldova, and Promote Civil Society Engagement in Vetting Processes.”
The purposes of the project are to promote and support anticorruption and justice reform in Moldova through promoting improved integrity and efficiency in the justice system and in the functioning of responsible state institutions in handling high-level corruption and politically sensitive cases; develop a better-informed citizenry on the phenomenon of selective justice, and on the institutions and officials responsible for it where it occurs; and (3) catalyze a more empowered Moldovan civil society, manifesting increased civic activism, to monitor and report on selective justice and broader corruption and institutional abuses in government.
Project Goal(s) and Objectives
The project has two essential goals:
- A: Improved integrity and efficiency in Moldova’s justice system in handling high-level corruption and politically sensitive cases; and
- B: A better-informed and more empowered and active civil society and citizenry on broad corruption and institutional abuses in government, including selective justice.
- Goal A
- Objective 1: Improved integrity and efficiency in the justice system and in the functioning of responsible state institutions in handling high-level corruption and politically sensitive cases, and more effectively identifying and removing (or otherwise sanctioning) corrupt actors in government.
- Goal B
- Objective 2: A better-informed citizenry on the phenomenon of selective justice, vetting and broader integrity concerns, and on the institutions and officials responsible for it where it occurs.
- Objective 3: A more empowered Moldovan civil society, manifesting increased civic activism, to monitor and report on selective justice and broader corruption and institutional abuses in government.
Project Activities and Deliverables
Expected general activities and deliverables (all of which are expected to be fully funded through grant funds) include:
- Objective 1
- Activity (a): Monitor, analyze, evaluate and publicly report on targeted cases of selective justice, 5 whether or not such instances result in the opening of criminal investigations and/or prosecutions, including the actions (or inaction) of key state institutions 6 and officials in such cases.
- Activity (b): Research and submit reports to independent judicial and prosecutor vetting commissions (that may operate during the life of this project) reflecting research and objective analyses of issues relating to the integrity and professionalism of selected judges and prosecutors undergoing commission assessment (including but not limited to the activities of such judges and prosecutors in specific, monitored cases of selective justice).
- Activity (c): Contribute to improvement of anticorruption and public integrity initiatives impacting selective justice arising during the life of the project.
- Activity (d): Prepare and submit shadow reports to relevant international mechanisms evaluating Moldova on selective justice-related issues.7
- Objective 2
- Activity (a): Plan comprehensive public education campaigns on (a) the issue of selective justice, and (b) in consultation with vetting commissions operating during the life of this project, regarding the activities, challenges, progress and accomplishments of these commissions.
- Activity (b): Execute the plans described in Activity 1, to include media appearances, public lectures, conferences and/or other events in Chisinau and the regions, and publications.
- Objective 3
- Activity (a): Enlist at least 3 Moldovan civil society organizations to actively participate in the project.
- Activity (b): Provide training and tools, as useful, and follow-on mentoring, as needed, to civil society organizations and civic activists (whether or not actively participating in the project) to develop both (a) their substantive understanding of essential topics in selective justice and, more broadly, in public integrity, anticorruption and justice reform; and (b) their individual and organizational capacities to function effectively, and with impact, as civil society actors.
- Activity (c): Include Moldovan civil society organizations and activists in the organization of conferences, public lectures and other events on themes related to selective justice and the rule of law, in Chisinau and the regions.
Participants and Audiences
- As the preceding general description of exemplary project activities makes clear, intended target audiences for the various project activities include the Moldovan public, investigative journalism and the media, and civil society organizations; state officials working in the anticorruption and integrity spheres; relevant international anticorruption mechanisms; and independent vetting commissions active during the life of the project.
- Applicants should keep in mind the need for participatory and inclusive approaches (including by gender, LGBTQI+, race, ethnicity, religion, disability, or other underrepresented groups; and, depending on the context, consulting with Post as necessary). Applicants should describe how they will ensure equitable (and safe) inclusion, using participatory, locally-led, and intersectional approaches as appropriate.
Funding Information
- Length of performance period: 24 months
- Anticipated program start date: October 1, 2023
- Number of awards anticipated: 1 award (dependent on amounts)
- Award amounts: award may range from a minimum of $400,000 to a maximum of $500,000
- Total available funding: $500,000.00
Priority Region/Countries: Republic of Moldova
Eligibility Criteria
- The following organizations are eligible to apply:
- U.S.-based non-profit/non-governmental organizations (NGOs);
- U.S.-based educational institutions subject to section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. tax code or section 26 U.S. 115 of the U.S. tax code;
- Foreign-based non-profits/NGOs; and
- Foreign-based educational institutions.
- Applicants must also meet the following requirements to be eligible to apply to this NOFO:
- Ability to develop and successfully implement a project in Moldova and meet INL’s reporting requirements.
- Organizations must also be able to demonstrate current (or pending) registration in Moldova, if required by Moldovan authorities.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.