Deadline: 31 October 2016
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) invites applications from community-based organizations (CBOs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), law firms, or similar organizations for the program entitled “Promoting the Rule of Law Project” with an aim to strengthen rule of law, including access to justice for marginalized populations, in Myanmar.
The Project focuses its efforts on national level policies as well as the regional/state and local level policies and services in several focus regions/states.
The overall objective of the Project’s grants program is to increase legal literacy, access to justice, and the participation of marginalized populations in target regions/states. Marginalized populations are defined as citizens who are excluded or otherwise disadvantaged due to their gender, age, occupation, income level, ethnicity, disability, social status, and/or any other consideration.
The program specifically addresses the availability of legal aid to marginalized populations. Programs will be supported that promote legal aid and/or assistance, including to victim/survivors, to improve the overall access to justice in Myanmar.
Funding Information
- The Project expects to fund 6 to 10 grant projects based on this RFA.
- It is anticipated that a total of approximately MMK 800,000,000 (approximately USD $650,000) will be allocated for all grants.
- Organizations may apply for funding up to MMK 120,000,000 (approximately USD $100,000).
Program Areas
- Legal assistance, especially for women and marginalized communities, including legal aid, legal advice, and community paralegal services, for citizens that cannot afford private legal representation, and legal support to human rights advocacy groups and individuals.
- Victim/survivor assistance, such as legal advice, counseling, placement and other services to victim/survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), human trafficking, or other kinds of human rights violations, especially those affecting women, persons living with disabilities, marginalized groups, or children.
- Other innovative and cost-effective programs to address priority rule of law and human rights related problems and to promote justice for marginalized populations.
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligible grant applicants include non-governmental (NGO), community-based (CBO) or similar organizations, and law firms, including groups of professionals or associations that address rule of law, human rights, and access to justice issues.
- To be eligible for grant funding an organization should have:
- Past experience of working effectively to improve rights and justice in Myanmar, and well-formed plans to continue doing so;
- A reputation for integrity, non-discrimination, and political independence; and
- Sound financial and administrative procedures, and a clear commitment to further organizational development.
- Applying organizations should have at least 12 months experience working. However, an exception may be made if the applicant can provide sufficient evidence that the organization’s director(s) have adequate prior experience, and the applicant organization is proposing to fill a gap or address legal needs of a community that has been underserved in the past.
- Organizations based and currently working in Myanmar, in particular those engaged in justice-related activities in areas specified in the focus regions/states, are strongly preferred.
How to Apply
Applications may be submitted in hard copy or electronically (via email) at the address given on the website.
Eligible Country: Myanmar
For more information, please visit Promoting the Rule of Law Project Grants Program.