Opportunity INLEC09CA002WHA12172008

The summary for the Opportunity INLEC09CA002WHA12172008 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.

Opportunity INLEC09CA002WHA12172008: Executive Summary: The United States Government, represented by the Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, Office of Latin American Programs (State/INL/LP), is seeking applications from qualified U.S. organizations with the requisite capability and experience to strengthen criminal prosecutions in Ecuador by providing training and technical expertise to government investigators, attorneys and judges, and by providing legislative drafting and technical expertise for the purpose of strengthening law relating to the judiciary, and procedures. The Grant award will be up to $800,000 per year for one to two years, funded annually. The project we intend to support will be a successor to an INL-funded project currently underway. I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES DESCRIPTION Background The general purpose of the program is to assist the Government of Ecuador (GOE) to strengthen the prosecution and adjudication capabilities of Ecuadorian criminal justice operators and support GOE initiatives to transition from the current mixed procedures (inquisitorial/accusatorial) system to an accusatory model. Phase 1 of the program focused on disseminating the understanding of the accusatory model and training of operators -i.e. investigators, prosecutors and judges- in basic oral techniques and skills. Procedural rules, however, continue to impede expeditious, fair prosecutions, and undermine human rights and due process. In October 2008, Ecuador approved a new Constitution which introduces substantive changes and creates a new and more complex judicial sector. The Constitution introduces new standards for the prosecution of criminals and several new measures that would allow challenges to judicial rulings, including challenges before the newly created Constitutional Court, above the National Court (which replaces the former Supreme Court.) Phase 2 of the program will continue to support GOE efforts to train criminal justice operators and to strengthen the Criminal Justice System, with an emphasis on prosecuting serious crimes and the leaders of criminal organizations. At the same time, the program will support discussions for revising changes in the constitutional and legal framework and provide technical assistance, when appropriate, to support these changes. These efforts will be supported and enhanced with communication and outreach programs. Program Objectives State/INL is currently seeking a recipient to provide support in the form of training and technical expertise to the Ecuadorian Criminal Justice Sector. The recipient will: Provide a full time United States representative, with a minimum of ten years experience in US criminal code, in Ecuador that will administer the program and work daily with the Ecuadorian justice system actors. The representative must have extensive knowledge of the U.S. justice system and some understanding of the inquisitorial system characteristic of many Latin judicial institutions is considered a plus. Travel is requiredl to the U.S. from Ecuador for justice sector training. The administrator must be fluent in Spanish. Develop and administer general training activities for investigators, prosecutors, and judges in the prosecution of criminal cases, with an emphasis on using accusatorial methods that will speed up and strengthen the process. Develop and administer specialized training activities (mock investigations, trials, orientation visits, etc.) for small groups of investigators, prosecutors, and judges involved in the prosecution of cases involving serious organized crimes (e.g., drug trafficking, money laundering, trafficking in persons, alien smuggling). Support criminal justice operators, institutions, and scholars in: a) Determining the effects of the new Constitution on the prosecution and adjudication of serious crimes; b) Identifying and enacting reforms to the Criminal Procedures Code and related laws; c) Discussing possible additional reforms to the Criminal Justice System that will strengthen and speed up the prosecution of criminal cases. Support the creation of a web based outreach and communication system to facilitate the dissemination of program results. Program Expected Results Criminal Justice Operators trained in the basics of prosecuting crimes. A local multidisciplinary team of trainers, including investigators, prosecutors, and judges, trained and able to provide a continuum of training with their Ecuadorian peers. Justice operators trained in the prosecution of serious crimes, including an understanding of how new legislation affects the investigation, prosecution, and sentencing of specific crimes. Selected prosecutors and investigators working in a joint task force setting on cases related to serious organized crime. The creation of multidisciplinary groups for open discussions on short term (urgent) and long term (comprehensive) reforms to the criminal justices procedure. This will include drafting reform proposals. A web-based system providing reference and training materials for individuals or groups. II. AWARD INFORMATION The anticipated award date is February 15, 2009, at which point the grant period will begin for 1 year with an option to extend for one additional year. The total funding available for the grant will be up to $1,600,000. It is expected that for the second year, INL will have available $800,000 to continue the grant, depending on appropriations and budgeting. Requested funding should be commensurate with the size and capacity of the organization. SUBSTANTIAL USG INVOLVEMENT Active participation, collaboration, or intervention in the design or direction of a project is expected to occur between the implementer and appropriate US Embassy grants officer representative (GOR). The GOR will be consulted with regarding all aspects of program management such as work plan drafting, programmatic and financial reporting, and proposed trainings as appropriate. Project implementer will also coordinate aspects of program with overall policy goals as established by the US Embassy. Project implementer will provide a quarterly report update (not to exceed 5 pages), and will meet at least quarterly with the GOR and other embassy staff to discuss successes, problems and program development, and appropriate coordination with INL programs. After review and approval of each stage of work it is expected that the implementer will receive approval from the appropriate US Embassy GOR to move forward. Type of Assistance instrument: Cooperative agreement Program Authority Section 635(b) of the Foreign Assistance Act, as amended.