Professionalizing the Judicial Sector in the Central African Republic | INL19CA0035 AMECAR PROFJUDSECT 04182019

Opportunity Information: Apply for INL19CA0035 AMECAR PROFJUDSECT 04182019

The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), offered a discretionary grant opportunity called "Professionalizing the Judicial Sector in the Central African Republic" (Funding Opportunity Number INL19CA0035). The award was structured as a cooperative agreement, meaning the implementing partner would be expected to coordinate closely with INL during implementation rather than operating entirely independently. The opportunity was published on April 18, 2019, with an original application deadline of June 18, 2019. INL anticipated making one award, with a maximum (ceiling) amount of $2,000,000, under CFDA 19.703, and the funded work fell under the category of law, justice, and legal services.

The core purpose of the project was to strengthen the capacity and professionalism of Central African Republic (CAR) justice-sector actors and supporting civil society so that serious crimes, especially sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), are handled more effectively and survivors have better access to justice. INL framed the opportunity in the context of its broader, ongoing investment in CAR, noting it had already committed more than $40 million over the prior four years to help re-operationalize and rebuild law enforcement, justice, and corrections institutions. This project was positioned as part of that larger effort, leveraging INL's established relationships and reputation with the CAR government and the United Nations mission.

Programmatically, the opportunity emphasized training and technical assistance across several key groups involved in the criminal justice chain. It aimed to improve the ability of civil society organizations, lawyers, police investigators, prosecutors, and judges to pursue accountability and deliver justice for SGBV survivors and other crime victims. The geographic focus included both the capital, Bangui, and CAR's provinces, signaling an intent to support justice services beyond central institutions and into areas where access to trained personnel and functioning legal mechanisms is often weaker.

Alongside capacity-building, the project also highlighted direct service delivery as an urgent need. In practical terms, this meant providing legal services to survivors of SGBV and to victims of other serious crimes and human rights violations. The design therefore combined longer-term institutional strengthening (skills, procedures, and coordination among professionals) with immediate assistance to individuals who need representation, support navigating the justice system, and help pursuing cases in environments where resources are limited and barriers to reporting and prosecution can be high.

Eligibility was open to a range of organizations capable of implementing justice-sector programming, including public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations both with and without U.S. 501(c)(3) status (as long as they were not themselves institutions of higher education). Overall, the opportunity focused on building professional competence and collaboration across the justice system while expanding access to legal support for survivors and victims, with the overarching aim of improving accountability and justice outcomes in CAR.

• The Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics-Law Enforcement in the law, justice and legal services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Professionalizing the Judicial Sector in the Central African Republic" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.703.
• This funding opportunity was created on Apr 18, 2019.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 18, 2019. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $2,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.

Apply for INL19CA0035 AMECAR PROFJUDSECT 04182019

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