U.S. Department of State, Bureau of INL seeking Applications for “Colombian Juvenile Drug Court Expansion” Program

Deadline: 21 February 2020

The United States Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs INL is seeking applications from qualified U.S.-based and non-U.S. based nongovernmental (NGOs)/non-profit organizations or educational institutions for a cooperative agreement to implement a program entitled “Colombian Juvenile Drug Court Expansion”.

The purpose of this project is to reduce criminal recruitment and recidivism by utilizing the juvenile justice system as an opportunity to divert Colombian youth from drug use. It will also improve judicial efficiency by reducing the number of adolescent offenders in the criminal justice system. This will be accomplished by expanding the successful juvenile drug treatment court pilot from Medellin to seven new regions.

Project Goals

The project’s goal is to launch seven new drug treatment courts throughout Colombia in order to reduce criminal recruitment and juvenile drug consumption. The grantee will provide the technical assistance and planning necessary to accomplish this. In the course of the project, the grantee will complete the following:

Assess the existing pilot drug treatment court and recommend improvements
Design the three-year drug treatment court expansion plan
Mentor staff and policymakers to establish drug treatment courts in the target cities
Develop a practical training curriculum for future drug treatment court staff
Create a monitoring and evaluation plan for drug treatment courts
Advise officials on how to maximize future impact of the drug treatment court system

The seven cities included in the project are: Armenia, Barranquilla, Bogotá, Cali, Pereira, Villavicencio, and Yopal.

Project Objectives

Objective 1: Assess the pilot drug treatment court and recommend process improvements.
Objective 2: Design the three-year drug treatment court expansion plan
Objective 3: Advise and mentor staff and policymakers to establish drug treatment courts in the target cities.
Objective 4: Develop a practical training curriculum for future drug treatment court staff
Objective 5: Create a monitoring and evaluation plan for drug treatment courts
Objective 6: Advise officials on how to maximize future impact of the drug treatment court system

Award Information

The anticipated total federal funding amount is up to $1,000,000. The period of performance is three years with an anticipated start date of April 2020.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants that qualify to receive U.S. grants:
- U.S.-based not-for-profit/non-governmental organizations (NGOs);
- U.S.-based educational institutions subject to section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. tax code;
- Foreign not-for-profit/non-governmental organizations (NGOs); or
- Foreign-based educational institutions
Applicants that demonstrate current or pending business registration in Colombia.
Applicants that can develop and successfully implement a project in Colombia and meet INL’s reporting requirements.
Applicants that have demonstrated experience implementing similar education or capacity building programs, preferably in Colombia. INL reserves the right to request additional background information on organizations that do not have previous experience administering similar programs and/or federal grant awards.
Applicants that can produce course materials, deliver training, and conduct evaluations in Spanish and English. The applicant’s staff should be proficient in English in order to fulfil reporting requirements.
Applicants that have existing, or the capacity to develop, active partnerships with stakeholders in order to successfully carry out the proposed program.
Organizations may form a consortium and submit a combined proposal. However, one organization should be designated as the lead applicant and other members as sub-award partners.
Public International Organizations (PIOs) and for-profit organizations are excluded from applying to this grant announcement.
To be eligible for a grant award, in addition to other conditions of this NOFO, organizations must have a commitment to non‐discrimination with respect to beneficiaries and adherence to equal opportunity employment practices. INL is committed to an anti-discrimination policy in all of its programs and activities. INL welcomes applications irrespective of an applicant’s race, ethnicity, color, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or other status. INL encourages applications from potential new partners.
Applicants are reminded that U.S. Executive Orders and U.S. law prohibits transactions with, and the provision of resources and support to, individuals and organizations associated with terrorism. It is the legal responsibility of the recipient to ensure compliance with these Executive Orders and laws. This provision must be included in any sub‐awards issued under this grant award.