Justice Initiatives Facilitation Fund - Call for Proposals
The Justice Initiatives Facilitation Fund (JIFF), Component III of the Justice Partnership Program is announcing its fifth CALL FOR PROPOSALS from non-government organizations for the funding of projects and organizations that contribute to the Key Support Areas listed below.
The JPP is a joint program between the Government of Vietnam, Government of Denmark, Government and Sweden and the European Union to support justice sector reform in Vietnam.
Key Support Areas:
All proposals and subsequent grant awards will meet at least one of the four key result area supported by the component through the Justice Initiatives Facilitation Fund (JIFF) below:
1. Popular awareness of the rights and opportunities the law and justice system provide enhanced.
2. Access to independent legal advice and aid improved.
3. Understanding of judicial reforms enhanced through research.
4. Dialogue and information sharing on matters relevant to judicial reforms enhanced.
The first key result area targets non-government organizations supporting of vulnerable groups and women, which could include media (written, radio and TV) and publishers. Examples of activities which
may meet the first key result area includes:
- Capacity development of general legal awareness.
- Advice and support to strengthen vulnerable groups in utilizing the provision given by the law.
- Developing and strengthening legal networks.
- Newspaper articles on legal issues.
The second key result area targets independent providers of legal advice and aid (i.e. providers outside the states provision of legal services through the National Legal Aid Agency), and could include:
- Legal advice and support to strengthen vulnerable groups.
The third key result area will logically target scholars in universities, academies, and think tanks with a research focus on judicial reforms and could include:
- Surveys and studies to gather evidence in support of understanding reforms and the dynamics with society, central and/or local government. Including research focusing on women and marginalised groups.
The fourth key result area addresses the same institutions as key result area three together with the institutions targeted by the first key result area. This would provide an opportunity bringing together
popular and technical voices. This could include:
- Skills training in reform analysis and advocacy.
- Seminars, workshops, and meetings to facilitate dialogue between the justice sector, the private sector, legal advice and aid provides, and central or local government.
- Monitoring judicial reforms or part of same.
- Developing and strengthening legal networks.
- Newspaper articles on judicial reform issues.
Addressing cross-cutting JPP themes and recognizing JIFF programming to-date, priority consideration will be given to the following proposals:
1. Providing legal services and promoting legal solutions to vulnerable groups, and/or
2. Research to improve legal services and/or legal and judicial reforms; and/or
3. From NGOs based outside of Hanoi
What kind of grant applications will JIFF consider?
Small Grants: Non-government organizations may apply for a small grant of less than VND 280,000,000 for project and/or research activities (see below). The above criterion may be waived for small grant applicants. Small grant applications consist of a concept note and budget (in the formats provided).
Applicants who apply for funding above VND 280,000,000 will be expected to meet a set of minimum criteria. The minimum criteria should be:
- Established for non-profit purposes (may be waived by application for media and research organizations
- Non-state (may be waived by application for media and research organizations)
- Non-international
- Registered for more than one year.
- Have a constitution or Articles of Association, or a legally set of rules that explains how the organization operates.
- Have a bank account operated by more than one signatory.
Funding above VND 280,000,000 may be in the type of:
Project Grants are geared towards implementing and evaluating innovative methods for: delivering legal advice; raising legal awareness; researching matters relevant to judicial reforms and the bjectives of the JIFF; and, other small project funding as approved. Generally, project funding is for a limited duration (usually for less than 12 months) and for smaller than VND 700,000,000.
Research Grants can be awarded against a research proposal clearly spelling out the objective, output, and a budget. The research proposal has to be clearly related to one or more of the key result area
supported by the JIFF, and value added to the programme, preferably referenced to the programme’s components. The grants will target existing or emerging legal issues and/or judicial reform issues of
concern to the system thus the society at large. Generally, research funding is for a limited duration (usually for less than 12 months) and for smaller than VND 700,000,000
Core Funding is geared towards implementing “tried and tested” methods which contribute to one or more of the four key result area supported by the JIFF. The Core Funding Grants are provided in support of, mainly larger, organizations with a well-established track-record in research and advocacy. Organizations that apply for core funding should have a proven track record of well-functioning governance and financial management systems. Core funded program generally includes various projects activities, perhaps within different localities, to meet an overall program objective. Capacity building technical assistance is provided to ensure better implementation and sustainability of the program. Generally, core funding is multi-year in duration, and is based on milestones and reporting
requirements. The maximum amount of core funding available to any applicant is VND 2.5 billion/year.
Technical Assistance and Capacity Development Grants can be awarded to organizations that require specialised professional knowledge or do not yet meet the eligibility criteria for Core Funding. Technical Assistance and Capacity Development Grants may be managed by the JIFF Fund Manager.
How should applications be made, and by when?
Both hard and soft copy (CD written) of proposal in JIFF forms in Vietnamese language shall be delivered before 17:00, 2 November 2012, to the following address:
Justice Initiatives Facilitation Fund (JIFF)
Unit 708, 11 Tran Hung Dao, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
E-mail: [email protected] | Phone: (04) 39336034/35 | Fax: (04) 39336040
Please visit the JIFF Website at www.jpp-jiff.org.vn to view more information about the selection criteria, application process and to download application forms.
JIFF is to organize Justice Initiatives Outreach in Danang on October 1 and 2, on Dalat October 4 and 5, and Ho Chi Minh City on October 10 and 11 to assist with further information and proposal writing.
Confirmation of attendance should be made to JIFF five (5) days before the abovementioned dates.
Please confirm your attendance by emailing to [email protected] or calling to 0904233923.
How are applications assessed?
Grant applications will be short-listed in line with the criteria outlined above. Short-listed applications will be considered by an independent Grant Committee. Outcomes of the Call for Proposals and a list of organizations to be funded will be published on the JIFF website in December 2012. JIFF is available to answer any question or inquiry about the outcomes from applicants at the above contact address.