Macedonia Defense Bar Program

The summary for the Macedonia Defense Bar Program grant is detailed below. This summary states who is eligible for the grant, how much grant money will be awarded, current and past deadlines, Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) numbers, and a sampling of similar government grants. Verify the accuracy of the data FederalGrants.com provides by visiting the webpage noted in the Link to Full Announcement section or by contacting the appropriate person listed as the Grant Announcement Contact. If any section is incomplete, please visit the website for the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affair, which is the U.S. government agency offering this grant.

Macedonia Defense Bar Program: The United States Government represented by the Department of States Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, Office for Europe and Asia, (INL/EA) directs and oversees foreign assistance programs aimed at criminal justice reform in Macedonia. INL/EA provides support for law enforcement training and development as well as a range of assistance and capacity building for prosecutors and judges in Macedonia. In an effort to complement existing USG and international donor efforts to develop the rule of law in Macedonia, INL/EA seeks applications from qualified U.S., Macedonian, and international non-governmental organizations for a program aimed at improving citizens access to justice by increasing the capacity of the defense bar. INL/EA plans to award a cooperative agreement to a nongovernmental organization (NGO) that will focus its efforts on supporting the defense attorneys on implementing the new Criminal Procedure Code (CPC). This program will complement ongoing INL programs implemented by the Department of Justice International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program (ICITAP) and the Office of Overseas Prosecutorial, Development, Assistance and Training (OPDAT). The goal of this project is to empower the Macedonian defense bar to make opening statements, conduct examinations, and make closing arguments that effectively weave together the laws under the new code and evidence. As Macedonias CPC goes into effect in 2012, the defense bar will have increased responsibilities for gathering and challenging evidence. INLs support for a defense bar program that trains the defense bar in argument and case preparation will bolster accountability and public confidence in Macedonias rule of law institutions. This is intended as a one year project. There is some possibility of continued funding based upon performance and availability of funds. (PLEASE NOTE: Applicants that have questions regarding this request should forward them to the point of contact listed in the announcement no later than 5pm on June 23, 2011. Questions and answers will be posted on grants.gov in a separate document.