Liberia Justice Public Awareness Campaign | INL17CA0033 INLAMELIBERIA PAC 050917

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Liberia Justice Public Awareness Campaign (INL17CA0033)

1) What is the Liberia Justice Public Awareness Campaign?

The Liberia Justice Public Awareness Campaign is a U.S. government funding opportunity focused on improving public understanding and confidence in Liberia's formal criminal justice system. The campaign supports activities that educate and inform Liberians about how criminal justice processes work in practice, with the goal of helping citizens view the formal system as a fair and impartial way to resolve disputes.

2) What problem is this opportunity trying to address?

The opportunity targets low public awareness and low confidence in the formal criminal justice system in Liberia. By clarifying rights, procedures, and the responsibilities of justice sector actors, the campaign aims to help ordinary people navigate the system, recognize when rights are being violated, and demand better performance from public institutions.

3) What are the main goals of the campaign?

Based on the opportunity description, the main goals are to:

• Increase public understanding of how Liberia's formal criminal justice system works in practice.
• Build confidence and trust in the formal system as a fair and impartial forum for resolving disputes.
• Clarify citizen rights and justice-sector procedures so people can navigate the system more effectively.
• Strengthen accountability by enabling citizens to identify misconduct and demand lawful treatment and better services.

4) What kinds of topics should the public awareness campaign cover?

The description emphasizes educating Liberians about criminal justice processes and practical system navigation. Topics implied by the notice include:

• Individual rights within the criminal justice process.
• Key procedures and steps in criminal justice processes (policing, prosecution, courts, and related services).
• Responsibilities and expected standards of behavior for justice sector actors.
• How to recognize rights violations and misconduct.
• How citizens can seek accountability and improved performance from public institutions.

5) How does the campaign relate to accountability and anti-corruption?

Accountability is described as a major theme and a tool to reduce corruption. The campaign is intended to strengthen the public's ability to hold authorities responsible for respecting legal protections and improving basic services. The logic presented is that informed citizens can better identify misconduct, resist corrupt or informal dispute settlement practices, and insist on lawful treatment.

6) What is the expected long-term outcome of increasing public awareness?

Over time, broader awareness and higher expectations are expected to increase trust in the formal justice system and reduce reliance on unofficial mechanisms that may be biased, coercive, or prone to bribery.

7) Who is offering this funding opportunity?

The opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).

8) What is the program or funding activity area for this opportunity?

The funding activity area is Law, Justice and Legal Services, listed under CFDA 19.703.

9) What is the official title of the funding opportunity?

The official title is "Liberia Justice Public Awareness Campaign."

10) What is the opportunity number?

The opportunity number is INL17CA0033. It is also labeled as INLAMELIBERIA PAC 050917.

11) What type of award is being used?

The announcement uses a cooperative agreement. The description notes that a cooperative agreement typically means substantial involvement by the funder during implementation, such as ongoing coordination, shared planning, or close oversight of key activities and outputs.

12) How many awards are expected?

The funding is structured for a single award, with an expected total of one award.

13) What is the maximum funding amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling is $2,500,000.

14) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include:

• Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
• Private institutions of higher education
• Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status
• Nonprofit organizations without 501(c)(3) status (excluding higher education institutions in that category)

15) When was the notice created?

The notice was created on May 9, 2017.

16) What was the original closing date?

The original closing date was July 10, 2017.

17) Does this opportunity focus on Liberia's formal criminal justice system or informal mechanisms?

The focus is on strengthening understanding and confidence in Liberia's formal criminal justice system. A stated objective is to reduce reliance on unofficial mechanisms that may be biased, coercive, or prone to bribery.

18) What justice sector components are specifically mentioned in the opportunity description?

The description refers to policing, prosecution, courts, and related services, and emphasizes that citizens should understand the steps and standards governing these parts of the system.

19) What is the core approach described for improving trust in the justice system?

The approach described is practical public education: clarifying rights, procedures, and the roles/responsibilities of justice sector actors so that citizens can navigate the system, recognize violations, and demand lawful treatment and improved institutional performance.

20) What does "substantial involvement" mean in the context of this cooperative agreement?

The notice indicates that substantial involvement can include ongoing coordination, shared planning, or close oversight of key activities and outputs by the funder during implementation.