U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of NEA/AC: Improving Community Security and Access to Justice in Syria

Deadline: 24 January 2020

The Department of State’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, Office of Assistance Coordination (NEA/AC) is seeking proposals for a program entitled “Improving Community Security and Access to Justice in Syria”.

The purpose of this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) is to advance the following U.S. government policy objectives in Syria:

Ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS and empower local communities to resist the encroachment of Iranian proxies by enabling the provision of community security in areas liberated from ISIS;
Achieve a political solution to the Syrian conflict under the auspices of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2254.

NEA/AC will support the following assistance objectives to advance these policy objectives:

Support the enduring defeat of ISIS by enabling the provision of community security in liberated areas
Advance a political solution to the Syrian conflict under the auspices of UNSCR 2254 by addressing security and justice issues that are among major drivers of the conflict.

NEA/AC seeks proposals to carry out targeted assistance projects to empower civilian security providers in northeast Syria to deliver security services to their communities, in partnership with local stakeholders, civil society organizations (CSOs), and local governance entities. This will improve security in local communities, including for religious and ethnic minorities, help local Syrians effectively manage areas under their control, and expand space for political, social, and economic activity.

NEA/AC also seeks proposals to assess the legal and judicial structure of Syria, to lay the foundation for future assistance to reform of the Syrian justice system. Although NEA/AC assesses that opportunities to support Syrian’s access to justice are limited at this time, it requests that proposals provide options to deliver such programming, if the opportunity arises.

Focus Areas

NEA/AC seeks applications which focus on one or more of the following areas:

Community Security:
- NEA/AC seeks applications for community security activities that support U.S. policy objectives. Proposals should demonstrate flexibility to respond to the fluid environment in Syria. Applicants should draw from best practices, and propose innovative approaches, to address community security needs, and engage and communicate with the community served.
Assessment of Syrian Judicial System:
- NEA/AC seeks activities that would analyze the existing Syrian legal and judicial framework. This analysis should lay the foundation for future reform of the Syrian justice system pending demonstrated progress implementing UNSCR 2254.
Options for Supporting Access to Justice:
- NEA/AC assesses that opportunities for programing to support access to justice in Syria are currently limited; however, NEA welcomes proposals that include options to deliver such assistance if the opportunity arises.

Award Information

Estimated Award Ceiling: $40 million
Estimated Award Floor: $5 million
Estimated Length of Project Period: Up to 36 months

Eligible Countries and Territories

In this announcement, NEA/AC seeks to support projects in Syria. Please note: Applications that focus on activities in countries and territories other than those listed will NOT be considered.

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants include:
- U.S. or foreign
  - non-profit organizations;
  - For-profit organizations;
  - Private institutions of higher education;
  - Public or state institutions of higher education;
  - Public international organizations;
NEA/AC is committed to an anti-discrimination policy in all of its programs and activities. NEA/AC welcomes applications irrespective of an applicants’ race, ethnicity, color, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability. NEA/AC encourages applications from organizations working with underserved communities, including women, people with disabilities, and youth.