About

The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a project to establish regional standards on judicial independence in Central Asia through the enforcement of merit-based systems for selections of judges.

Project Goal(s) and Objectives

• Goal 1: SJCCA have a formal or informal network for peer-to-peer collaboration on the improvement of transparency of judicial selection. 

• Goal 2: SJCCA have regional standards for transparency in the selection of judges that align with international standards and promote domestic and international trust in the judiciary. 

• Objective 1: SJCCA have a network to communicate and deliberate on the independent selection of judges. 

• Objective 2: SJCCA identify and establish regional standards or best practices for transparency in the selection of judges.

Funding Information

• Total available funding: $480,000

• Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $480,000 to a maximum of $480,000 

• Length of performance period: 12 to 24 months 

• Anticipated program start date: 10/01/2024 

• Number of awards anticipated: 1 awards (dependent on amounts) 

Project Activities and Deliverables

• Establish a network of representatives from the SJCCA. 

• Develop by-laws, vision, mission, goals, etc for the new entity. 

• Develop and seek in-person and virtual educational opportunities, classes, professional mentorships, peer-to-peer cooperations, networking, fellowships, and other forms of training to network members. 

• Facilitate discussion and debate on legal issues facing SJCCA around transparency in selection of judges. 

• Identify international standards and best practices for transparency in the selection of judges. 

• Representatives of the SJCCA develop and agree to regional standards for transparency in the selection of judges.

Participants and Audiences

• Legal Community to include judges, prosecutors, lawyers, academics, and other legal professionals from all levels and backgrounds. Consideration should be given to ethnic, geographic, and gender diversity.

Priority Region/Countries

• Central Asia/Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan.

Eligibility

• The following organizations are eligible to apply: 

  • U.S.-based non-profit/non-governmental organizations (NGOs); 

  • U.S.-based educational institutions subject to section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. tax code or section 26 US 115 of the U.S. tax code; 

  • Foreign-based non-profits/non-governmental organizations (NGOs); 

  • Foreign-based educational institutions.

Post Date: June 10, 2024