Deadline: 25-Apr-21
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) seeks applications to implement a cooperative agreement with a period of performance of five years from qualified entities to implement the Dufatanye Kubaka Ubutabera (DKU) (“Let’s strengthen access to justice in Rwanda”) Activity.
Objectives
The Recipient will build upon the lessons learned and achievements gained during the implementation of USAID’s predecessor Duteze Imbere Ubutabera (DIU) and Rwanda Legal Capacity Building activities. The Recipient will further enhance the rule of law and increase access to justice in Rwanda by achieving four primary objectives:
- Improve citizens’ knowledge of their rights and expand access to and improvement of quality of legal services through public defenders, private lawyers, and legal aid services, particularly for vulnerable communities, including women, youth, and early representation of individuals charged with crimes.
- Reinforce the capacity of the Ministry of Justice Access to Justice Bureaus, prosecutors, and other court officials on the use of Integrated Electronic Case Management System (IECMS).
- Strengthen Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Mechanisms, including support for the soon-to-be adopted Alternative Dispute Resolution Policy in Rwanda for its effective implementation.
- Help the justice system in Rwanda identify new modalities and innovative approaches to sustain the provision of legal services as the country responds to and recovers from COVID-19.
Funding Information
- Subject to funding availability, and at the discretion of the Agreement Officer, USAID intends to provide up to $3,000,000 in total USAID funding over the period of performance.
- The anticipated period of performance is five years.
Target Beneficiaries
The Recipient will build the capacity of Rwandan judges, prosecutors, lawyers and legal aid providers, Justice Bureaus (MAJ) and Abunzi by:
- Reinforcing the capacity of MAJ and Abunzi in target districts;
- Conducting training of trainers (TOT) for judges, prosecutors, and lawyers on the use of the IECMS;
- Supporting the trained trainers to teach other judges, prosecutors and lawyers;
- Training paralegals in prison and legal providers on the legal standard provisions;
- Train prisoners on psychosocial therapy;
- Assisting the justice system in Rwanda to address the new and unique challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic – both during and following the crisis period. The project will work with the Ministry of Justice, the Supreme Court, the National Public Prosecution Authority (NPPA), the Kigali Bar Association (KBA), the Institute for Legal Practice and Development (ILPD), local legal providers and some Law Schools (e.g. University of Rwanda/UR, Université Libre de Kigali/ULK and University UNILAK of Lay Adventists).
Eligibility Criteria
This NOFO restricts applicant eligibility to local organizations. USAID invites the eligible entities to partner with other organizations through a consortium, i.e., formal partnerships as a means of demonstrating capacity to implement activity and achieve activity objectives. Only local organizations as defined below are eligible for award. USAID defines a “local entity” as an individual, a corporation, a nonprofit organization, or another body of persons that:
- Is legally organized under the laws of; and
- Has as its principal place of business or operations in; and
- Is majority owned by individuals who are citizens or lawful permanent residents of; and
- Is managed by a governing body the majority of who are citizens or lawful permanent residents of the country receiving assistance.
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=332143
