Program to Support the Womens Justice and Empowerment Initiative in the Democratic Republic of Congo

The summary for the Program to Support the Womens Justice and Empowerment Initiative in the Democratic Republic of Congo 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.

Program to Support the Womens Justice and Empowerment Initiative in the Democratic Republic of Congo: Executive Summary: The United States Government, represented by the Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, Office of Africa, Asia, Europe Programs (State/INL/AAE), is seeking applications from qualified U.S. organizations with the requisite capability and experience to support rule of law programming in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Specifically, organizations will be asked to provide assistance, judicial training and consultation to criminal justice sector professionals and victims, on gender based violence. . The Grant award will be up to $1,000,000 for a period of two years. I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES DESCRIPTION Summary The Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) announces an open competition for an assistance award. Organizations may submit grant proposals for a program to facilitate the implementation of rule of law assistance related to combating/prosecuting GBV crimes. Democratic Republic of Congo Background In recent years the DRC has experienced an epidemic proportion of GBV crimes, used to further conflict and act as a weapon of war. State/INL hopes to offer assistance through funding a much needed GBV program in the DRC. This program will be a powerful tool to combat the high trend of GBV crimes that occur all too frequently in the DRC as well as help restore dignity to victims while empowering them back into society. INL programming in the DRC will be designed to raise GBV awareness and improve the criminal justice sector's capacity to investigate and prosecute perpetrators as well as assist female victims of rape and abuse. Program goals will include education and awareness promotion at multiple levels; strengthen the capacity of the legal system to protect women and punish violators by training police, prosecutors, and judges in cases of sexual violence and abuse against women; and develop and strengthen laws that protect women and empower them in society. Program Objectives State/INL is currently seeking a recipient to provide support in the form of technical expertise to the Democratic Republic of Congo Judiciary. The recipient will: - Provide judicial expertise through the use of training, consultation and legal assistance in matters pertaining to the development of laws which combat gender based violence and the prosecution of those who offend. - Create and promote a level of awareness within the criminal justice sector regarding GBV crimes while working to reduce the stigma attached to victims. - Provide victims of GBV with access to justice Program Expected Results The recipient will be expected to work toward achieving the following results: - Provide sustainable legal aid, assistance and counseling to victims of GBV; - Strengthen GBV awareness and activities. - Improve the knowledge and case processing of the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (GODRC) judicial and prosecution officials working on GBV. II. AWARD INFORMATION The anticipated award date is September 1, 2009, at which point the grant period will begin for 2 years. The total funding available for the grant will be up to $1,000,000. 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 and the GODRC. The GODRC 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 also meet with the GODRC and other embassy staff on a quarterly basis to discuss program development and appropriate coordination with INL programs. Applicants offering less than 30 days for acceptance by the Government from the date set for receipt may be considered unacceptable and may be rejected. Type of Assistance instrument: Cooperative agreement Program Authority Section 635(b) of the Foreign Assistance Act, as amended. III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION Eligibility is limited to non-federal agencies and organizations. Universities and not-for-profit organizations subject to Section 501(c)3 of the tax code are included among entities eligible for funding under this announcement. Direct funding for non-U.S. institutions is not available under this announcement. Applicants must have a demonstrated expertise in the subject area of legislative assistance, judicial structure, and/or criminal law and procedure and have had prior experience working in Eastern Congo.