Deadline: 03-Feb-2025
The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a project to assess the current usage of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in non-criminal lawsuits within the judicial framework of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
This initiative seeks to generate an in-depth understanding of the current landscape of ADR practices, identify the barriers to their effective implementation, and develop tailored recommendations to enhance the utilization of ADR mechanisms in resolving disputes.
Project Vision
- Effective rule of law requires courts that are both just and efficient, as well as being perceived as just and efficient by the population. Significant reductions in current judicial caseloads effectuated by use of ADR or other methodologies will enable courts to more efficiently process civil lawsuits and allow judges and attorneys to focus on more difficult cases and dedicate more time and resources to complex cases that require trial, ultimately improving the overall quality of judicial outcomes. Reducing excessive delays in the legal process will enhance public perception of the courts and strengthen support for the rule of law, contributing to a more resilient and trusted judicial system in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Project Goals and Objectives
- Goal 1 is production of specific, discrete recommendations that could feasibly be implemented by BiH officials at the state, entity, and/or cantonal/district level that, if implemented, could individually or collectively increase use of ADR in the courts of BiH.
- Objective #1: Collect and assess publicly accessible data to determine the current levels of ADR utilization and its effectiveness in resolving civil lawsuits within the courts of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- Project activities and deliverables: To achieve the first objective, the project will begin with a comprehensive literature review of existing studies and reports on ADR utilization in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). This will help establish a foundational understanding of the current landscape. Following this, the grantee will develop a survey or data collection tool aimed at gathering information from court records, legal professionals, and relevant stakeholders. The collected data will then be analyzed to assess the current levels of ADR utilization and its effectiveness in resolving civil lawsuits. The primary deliverables from this objective will include a comprehensive report detailing the findings on ADR utilization in BiH, accompanied by data visualizations such as charts and graphs to illustrate key trends and outcomes. Moreover, this evaluation will establish a foundational understanding of the role of ADR in the judicial system and highlight opportunities for improvement.
- Objective #2. Conduct a comparative analysis of ADR practices and effectiveness in BiH versus several European Union countries.
- Project activities and deliverables: For the second objective, the project will identify key European Union (EU) countries known for their effective ADR frameworks to serve as benchmarks for comparison. The grantee will gather data on ADR practices and outcomes from these selected countries through desk research and an analysis of existing reports. This comparative analysis will highlight best practices and successful strategies that could inform improvements in BiH’s ADR framework. The deliverables for this objective will consist of a comparative analysis report that contrasts ADR utilization in BiH with the selected EU countries, as well as a summary document outlining the best practices identified through the research.
- Objective #3. Identify and explore the challenges that hinder the greater adoption of ADR in BiH.
- Project activities and deliverables: In pursuit of the third objective, the project will engage in qualitative research by conducting interviews and focus groups with legal professionals, court officials, and various stakeholders. This will provide insights into the perceptions and barriers that hinder the greater adoption of ADR in BiH. Additionally, the grantee will review existing legal frameworks and policies related to ADR, as well as assess public awareness and cultural perceptions surrounding these options. The findings will be compiled into a report that outlines the identified challenges and obstacles to ADR adoption. A summary document will also be produced, highlighting key insights gathered from the interviews and focus groups.
- Objective #4. Develop targeted, practical recommendations that can be realistically implemented at the state, entity, and/or cantonal/district levels. These targeted recommendations will aim to address identified obstacles to ADR utilization and leverage successful practices from EU countries. By focusing on overcoming barriers, the recommendations will enhance ADR integration within BiH’s judicial system, contributing to a more efficient and reliable legal framework.
- Project activities and deliverables: To fulfill the fourth objective, the project will synthesize the findings from the previous objectives to develop targeted recommendations aimed at increasing ADR utilization in BiH. Engaging stakeholders through workshops or discussions will be crucial for refining and validating these recommendations. The final deliverables will include a set of practical recommendations with detailed implementation guidelines tailored for different levels of the BiH court system. Additionally, an action plan document will outline the necessary steps, timelines, and responsible parties for executing the recommendations.
Funding Information
- Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $10,000 to a maximum of $35,000 Total available funding: $35,000
Duration
- Length of performance period: 4-6 months
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligible Applicant Types 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 US 115 of the U.S. tax code;
- Foreign-based non-profits/non-governmental organizations (NGOs);
- Foreign-based educational institutions
- Applicants must also meet the following requirements to be eligible to apply to this NOFO:
- Organizations must be able to develop and successfully implement a project in BiH and meet INL’s reporting requirements.
- Applicants should have demonstrated experience implementing similar projects, preferably in BiH.
- INL reserves the right to request additional background information on organizations that do not have previous experience administering similar programs and/or federal grant award.
- Applicants must have existing, or the capacity to develop, active partnerships with stakeholders in order to successfully carry out the proposed program.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.