Deadline: 04-Oct-2024
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 addressing money laundering-related financial crimes in the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Project Vision
- Creating a robust and transparent financial system in Uzbekistan that is resilient against money laundering and financial crimes. Through innovative and effective anti-money laundering (AML) initiatives, INL aims to strengthen regulatory frameworks, enhance coordination among agencies, and ultimately contribute to the country’s economic integrity and sustainable development.
Project Goals and Objectives
- Enhance Regulatory Compliance
- Objective 1.1: Support the development and implementation of comprehensive AML policies that align with international standards.
- Objective 1.2: Provide training programs for regulatory authorities and financial institutions to improve understanding and enforcement of AML regulations.
- Strengthen Interagency and Regional Collaboration
- Objective 2.1: Establish and support interagency task forces to facilitate information sharing and coordination in AML efforts within the Government of Uzbekistan and with regional counterparts.
- Objective 2.2: Develop and implement communication platforms for regular interaction between financial institutions, regulatory bodies, and law enforcement agencies.
- Improve Detection and Prosecution of Financial Crimes
- Objective 3.1: Implement advanced technological tools and data analytics for detecting suspicious financial activities and transactions.
- Objective 3.2: Enhance investigative and prosecutorial capabilities through specialized training and resource allocation to effectively address money laundering and related crimes.
Funding Information
- Total available funding: $4,000,000.00
- Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $500,000 to a maximum of $900,000
- Length of performance period: 18 to 24 months
- Anticipated program start date: January 1, 2025
- Number of awards anticipated: 2-3 awards
Expected Outcomes
- Comprehensive AML policies consistent with international standards are developed and successfully implemented, resulting in a more robust regulatory framework in Uzbekistan.
- Regulatory authorities and financial institution demonstrate improved understanding and enforcement of AML regulations, as evidenced by increased compliance rates and reduced instances of regulatory violations.
- More effective information sharing and coordinated efforts among agencies in combating money laundering.
- Increased detection of suspicious financial activities and transactions, as evidenced by increased reporting and identification of illicit financial flows.
- Investigative and prosecutorial capabilities improved through specialized training, leading to a higher rate of successful prosecutions of money laundering cases and associated crimes.
Activities
- Project activities for this project include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Draft comprehensive AML policies aligning with international standards.
- Hold stakeholder consultations and feedback sessions to refine AML policies.
- Finalize and distribute the AML policy documents to relevant authorities and institutions.
- Develop and design AML training curriculum and materials for regulatory authorities and financial institutions; put together a series of training workshops and seminars for regulatory authorities and financial institutions.
- Design and implement secure communication platforms for interagency interaction.
- Procure and install advanced technological tools and software for detecting suspicious activities.
- Train personnel on the use of these technological tools and data analytics.
Priority Region
- Uzbekistan
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 US 115 of the U.S. tax code;
- Foreign-based non-profits/non-governmental organizations (NGOs);
- Foreign-based educational institutions.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.