Deadline: 10 September 2019

The United States Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), is seeking applications from qualified Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Educational Institutions, and other qualified organizations for a grant to implement a program entitled “Expanding the Probation System in Tunisia.”

The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) has undertaken an assistance program to support the Government of Tunisia’s (GoT) effort to develop and maintain a criminal justice sector that is efficient, effective, and respects international human rights standards. This includes efforts to improve the joint capacity of the justice and corrections sectors to provide access to justice and maintain the rule of law throughout the country. This involves coordination within the Ministry of Justice (MOJ), between the Courts and the Directorate General of Prisons and Rehabilitation (DGPR). Key elements of this reform are: increasing the GoT’s ability to respond to the unique needs of individual offenders based on the crime and thereby reduce overcrowding in prisons, while improving community relations. This project, “Expanding the Probation System in Tunisia,” will aim to do that.

The overall goal of this project is increase the use of alternatives to incarceration in Tunisia. The audience for this project will be judges, lawyers, prosecutors, and members of civil society.

Project Objectives

• Objective 1: Alternatives to incarceration is a viable and trusted option in target governorates.
  • Activity 1: In coordination with representatives from the Sousse Probation Office, develop and execute implementation plans to establish seven (7) probation offices, based on the Sousse model, in the following governorates: Ariana, Ben Arous, Beja, Gafsa, Le Kef, Mednine, and Sfax (unless otherwise identified by INL and agreed upon by the MOJ).
  • Activity 2: Identify local non-governmental organizations, schools, community centers, and other institutions across each of the seven governorates that can serve as community service placement providers, and establish working relationships with them.
  • Activity 3: Establish a coordinating office, including a national Board of Probation, in a central location, with a minimum of one representative from each probation office in place to coordinate efforts across all seven offices and the EU-established six (6), in coordination with INL and the Ministry of Justice.
• Objective 2: Increased support of alternatives to incarceration, including probation, among the judiciary, public, and private sector.
  • Activity 1: In coordination with representatives from Sousse Probation Office, and in each of the seven governorates, train lawyers, judges, and prosecutors on the availability of ATI, as outlined in Tunisian law, and the process for requesting and implementing it.
• Objective 3: Increased awareness of alternatives of incarceration, including probation, among the judiciary, public, and private sector.
  • Activity 1: Develop a public relations strategy in order to inform the local communities of ATI in each of the seven governorates.
  • Activity 2: Hold joint workshops between judges, members of the Ministries of: Justice, Women’s Affairs, Social Development, Vocational Training and Employment, and Health; members of civil society, such as local nongovernmental organizations and women’s and children’s associations; and public and private institutions, on ATI in practice.

Funding Information

The anticipated total federal funding amount is not to exceed $1,250,000. The period of performance is two (2) years with an anticipated start date of June 2019. INL may extend the award up to three (3) additional years contingent on INL priorities, good performance of the implementer, Department of State management approval, and funding availability.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants that qualify to receive U.S. grants (such as U.S. not-for-profit/nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) or U.S.-based educational institutions subject to section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. tax code; foreign not-for-profits/non-governmental organizations (NGOs) or foreign based educational institutions, with the ability to develop and successfully implement a project in Tunisia and meet INL’s reporting requirements. Organizations must also be able to demonstrate current (or pending) country registration in Tunisia, if required by the country of project implementation.
• Applicants must have demonstrated experience implementing similar capacity building programs, preferably in North Africa or the Middle East. INL reserves the right to request additional background information on organizations that do not have previous experience administering similar programs and/or federal grant awards.
• Applicants must have the ability to produce course materials, deliver training, and conduct evaluations in Arabic and French. The applicant’s staff should be proficient in English in order to fulfill reporting requirements.
• Applicants must have existing, or the capacity to develop, active partnerships with stakeholders to include but not limited to the Tunisian Ministry of Justice and the Directorate General of Prisons and Rehabilitation in order to successfully carry out the proposed program.
• Organizations may form a consortium and submit a combined proposal. However, one organization should be designated as the lead applicant and other members as sub-award partners.
• Applicants must be able to respond to the NOFO and be able to mobilize in a short period.

Note: Public International Organizations (PIOs) and For-Profit Organizations are excluded from applying to this grant announcement.

How to Apply

To apply for a grant, organization must complete the Grants.gov registration process via given website.

For more information, please visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=318280