RFI_New_Rule_of_Law_Activity_in_Kosovo.pdf

USAID/Kosovo: New Rule of Law Activity in Kosovo

Subject: Request for Information (RFI) and Expression of Interest (EOI) Date of issuance: July 15, 2019 Response due: August 2, 2019 (12:00 p.m., Kosovo time) Response to: Dukagjin Hasani at: dhasani@usaid.gov and Fiolla Radoniqi at:

fradoniqi@usaid.gov

Dear Interested Parties, USAID/Kosovo seeks information about interests, capabilities, and market information related to the draft problem statement below and responses to the RFI questions enclosed in order to inform the design of a future mechanism. This RFI/EOI is open for comments from any interested party.

This RFI/EOI has two sections. You may respond to either section but are encouraged to respond to both:

1. Reponses to the RFI questions in Attachment 1 (“Questions for Industry and Partner Feedback”) should be no more than 6/six pages in length. Responses must be written in English. Number each page consecutively. Any response form may be used but USAID values concise, issue-specific responses. Please ensure submitted comments make specific reference to RFI page and question numbers.

2. EOI responses should be sent using Attachment No. 2. Beyond the form, respondents may also include self/organization information, including past experience working in this subject area and working with relevant stakeholders on the ground.

Send responses to this RFI/EOI to the emails listed in the header of this letter with the subject title “RFI/EOI: USAID/Kosovo New Rule of Law Activity in Kosovo”, no later than the date/time stated above. You may receive an electronic confirmation acknowledging receipt of your response, but will not receive individualized feedback on any suggestions. We may revise the concept based on comments received, but are not obligated to do so.

Per FAR 52.215-3, this is not a solicitation and is not to be construed as a commitment by the U.S Government to issue any solicitation or ultimately award on the basis of this RFI/EOI, or to mailto:dhasani@usaid.gov mailto:fradoniqi@usaid.gov

ATTACHMENT 1:

Introduction:

USAID/Kosovo seeks to gain further insight on challenges in the rule of law sector and potential solutions. This input may contribute to upcoming activity design(s).

Initial Problem Statement:

The overarching rule of law problem that will be addressed by this activity is a justice system unable to efficiently and effectively meet the justice needs and legal problems of Kosovo society and citizens. Normative frameworks have been adopted, and the key institutions and actors responsible for the administration of the justice system, are in place. Yet, justice service providers, including the courts, lawyers, and the free legal professions as well as civil society, are largely ineffective and insufficiently responsive to the citizens and communities they are intended to serve. While some of those who avail themselves of the system and its services can obtain solutions and remedies, the experience can be intimidating, unpredictable, and frustrating for many, particularly for women. For others, their legal needs go entirely unmet. Reforms continue apace, but innovative approaches to sustaining a well-functioning justice system and services that are people-centered, user-friendly, and solution-oriented are unavailable. This ongoing situation constrains the development of the rule of law as a foundation to Kosovo’s journey to self-reliance and path toward a more just, prosperous, and cohesive society suitable for European integration.

Preliminary Activity Purpose:

The overall purpose of this proposed activity is to enhance the rule of law and a well-functioning justice system by bringing it closer to the citizens and make it more people oriented. The activity will strengthen the justice service providers, primarily the courts, in efficiently meeting the justice needs and legal problems of the citizens and communities they are mandated to serve. With this activity, the Mission moves towards a new area of the rule of law programming. In the past 20 years, USAID and other donors assistance in this sector were focused on building and strengthening institutions and normative frameworks for an independent, efficient, and accountable system results in a stronger rule of law. Kosovo has achieved very relevant success in the sector such as the justice integration in 2017, and also the courts have become increasingly more efficient by showing undisputable results in resolving backlogged cases for example. Nevertheless, there are still areas that need serious improvement.

The USAID/Kosovo Mission also seeks to curate innovative solutions to justice problems and take them to scale. USAID/Kosovo also wants to actively cultivate, recognize, and empower a new generation of innovative leaders within civil society as well as the justice system, inclusive of women and youth.

Questions for Industry and Partner Feedback:

1. Given the problem statement above, what issues continue to impede the realization of a well-functioning justice system and the delivery of quality justice services?

2. How can the justice sector be improved so that it is more service-oriented towards citizens’ needs?

3. What are some of the key interventions needed to better educate and integrate civil society organizations to be part of finding solutions for improving the justice sector and its services?

4. What are the obstacles to, and possible solutions for, better integration of women and youth in making positive systematic changes in the justice sector? And in providing better services for these segments of the population?

5. Given the problem statement above, to what extent is there a gap between court decisions and their implementation? What are the proposed solutions to this issue?

6. What is the current quality of court services (such as, but not limited to, information/guidance to citizens, human interaction, filing and registration time, procedures and communication, etc.) and how can they be improved?

ATTACHMENT 2:

Response Form

RFI/EOI No. 72016719RFI00004

GENERAL INFORMATION

Name of the Organization:

Address:

Contact Person:

Name: ________________________________________ Position Title: __________________________________ Telephone: ____________________________________ E-mail address: _________________________________

Type of Organization:

� US Organization (other than small business) � US Small Business - (Please indicate type______________) � International Organization � Non-US Organization (Please indicate: ____________________)