Request for Applications: Grants Program for media-focused Civil Society Organizations, USAID-funded Model Courts Initiative Project
Request for Applications: Grants Program for media-focused Civil Society Organizations, USAID-funded Model Courts Initiative Project
Second Grants Program “Fostering an efficient, accessible, and transparent justice system”
Request for Applications (RFA)
Checchi and Company Consulting, Inc. (Checchi) is an international development firm based in the United States of America, which is implementing the USAID-funded Model Courts Initiative Project (MCI) in Moldova. MCI is a three-year effort aimed at improving the efficiency, performance, and quality of court services based on best international practices and in line with international excellence standards for court services.
Checchi is seeking applications for the second Grants Program “Fostering an efficient, accessible, and transparent justice system” and invites media-focused registered non-governmental organizations to submit proposals in one or more of the following areas:
- Raising awareness about access to justice.
- Implementing public campaigns on legal literacy.
- Promoting the progress and changes at the Model Courts that can contribute to national level progress in fostering an efficient, accessible, and transparent justice system.
- Fostering partnerships with CSOs active in the justice sector, including other MCI partners/grantees, to identify and raise awareness about best practices to ensure courts’ responsiveness to the public’s and court users’ needs.
Eligible activities include, but are not limited to: advancing citizens’ access to courts and access to legal information; increasing access to justice for vulnerable groups; enhancing communication between media and courts; media events; developing various information and products relating to legal assistance, support services, paralegal support, witness support, etc; outreach and legal literacy events for the general public, including vulnerable groups, etc.
Illustrative media products include, but are not limited to: TV and radio shows, success stories, social media posts (video, audio, photo, text), written and video tutorials, articles, etc.
The grants can be implemented at the national, regional and/or local levels. Grant activities with a national scope may be prioritized under this RFA. For grants with a regional or local scope, part of the proposed activities must be implemented in localities served by the first instance courts from Ungheni and/or Bălți.
Each grant award may range between $5,000 - $75,000. The final amount will depend on grant activities and final negotiation. Under exceptional circumstances, a grant may be awarded that is outside this range.
The anticipated period of performance is from 6 to 12 months from date of award. The anticipated start date for this program is on or about April 1, 2022.
All costs funded by the grant must be allowable, allocable and reasonable. Grant applications must be supported by a detailed and realistic budget as described in Annex 2.
Applications must be submitted in English, in the required format via email to MCIgrants@dexisonline.com no later than January 31, 2022, 23:59 Moldova Time. Applications not received by the deadline will not be considered.
Please submit all questions concerning this RFA to: MCIgrants@dexisonline.com by January 15, 2022. Questions may be formulated in Romanian, Russian or English. Answers will be sent via email to applicants by January 20, 2022. At the request of applicants, MCI will assist applicants in understanding the application process, via video meetings or through emails.
The Request for Applications, mandatory requirements, templates for proposal submission can be downloaded below:
Annex 1: Grant Application Form
Annex 3: Certifications, Assurances, Representations and Other Statements of the Recipient
