Deadline: 14 February 2017
The USAID–Afghanistan is seeking applications for its ADALAT Legal Advocacy Grants Program to support civil society organizations (CSOs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), local radio and TV stations and other organizations working on the most critical issues currently limiting both women’s and men’s legal rights and protection based on the existing Afghan law and Islamic Sharia.
Organizations will be sought to provide creative and innovative approaches to reaching and raising awareness of less literate populations about their rights and for advocacy programs to promote better policy and practice around social justice and gender equity.
Checchi and Company Consulting, Inc. (Checchi) began implementing the five-year Afghanistan Assistance for the Development of Afghan Legal Access and Transparency (ADALAT) project in April 2016. The purpose of ADALAT is to improve citizen access to justice services based on Afghan law.
Recently civil society organizations have significantly expanded their capacity to effect meaningful change and advocate for reforms to Afghanistan’s justice sector institutions. As access to professional, trustworthy legal services increases and meaningful data about court performance becomes available, CSOs will have a greater opportunity to promote and advocate for reforms that strengthen the justice sector.
As the capacity of institutions such as the judiciary and the Afghanistan Independent Bar Association (AIBA) are strengthened to the extent that they can effectively promote reforms in the justice system, collect and analyze empirical data, and improve citizens’ access to justice, capable CSOs will be armed with important tools to evaluate the performance of the courts and to advance the reform process through comprehensive outreach campaigns.
Understanding that Afghan law far better reflects the principles of fairness and equity than the reality of its application, grant-funded advocacy campaigns should strive to advance practical solutions to bridge that gap and work in areas where policy can be improved to better safeguard the rule of law. Common legal rights issues may relate to gender discrimination in employment and education, GBV, family violence, child marriage, institutionalized sexual abuse, human trafficking, fair trials, humane detention, and access to basic utilities and public services (such as water, electricity, and transportation infrastructure).
ADALAT legal advocacy grants will support projects that address problems of particular interest to the communities where they will be carried out – based on assessments or other demonstrated familiarity that applicants have with localized issues. Legal advocacy grants will target activities that provide civil society and activist communities with the means to mobilize better-educated citizens and develop initiatives for pursuing greater recognition and respect for legal rights, by lobbying government bodies, supporting media campaigns, and otherwise empowering citizens to secure their rights.
ADALAT is seeking organizations with the capacity to conduct research, collect and use data, empower and mobilize citizens, build networks, influence policymakers, and effect change through innovative methods. Grassroots advocacy campaigns built around livelihood issues that affect a community’s ability to exist are likely to generate high levels of interest and commitment by citizen stakeholders.
Funding Information
- Checchi anticipates funding several grants between $25,000 and $150,000 for each grant program. Applicants may only submit one application.
- The anticipated period of performance anticipated is up to 12 months from date of award. The anticipated start date for this program is on or about March 1, 2017
- The grants resulting from this RFA will be funded by USAID and administered through and managed by Checchi and Company Consulting Inc. (Checchi).
Eligibility Criteria
Applications should be from qualified Afghan non-governmental organizations, such as private, non-profit organizations (or for-profit companies willing to forego profits), including private voluntary organizations, civil society organizations, universities, research organizations, media organizations, professional associations, and relevant special interest associations.
- The organization must meet the program objectives of ADALAT listed above.
- The organization’s proposal must include expected outcomes and results consistent with and linked to ADALAT’s objectives including an approach to gender integration.
- Is registered as a legal entity in Afghanistan.
- The organization must demonstrate that it has sound technical, institutional and administrative management capacities to implement the proposed grant activity.
- The organization must receive vetting eligibility from the USAID Kabul Vetting Support Unit for the period of the grant agreement.
- The applicant must agree to follow USAID Multi-Tier-Monitoring requirements for remote activity verification including possible use of third party monitors
- The applicant must have a DUNS number and be registered in the System for Awards Management (SAM).
