INL24CA0069 Q&A Responses (Jun 17, 2024).docx

Questions and Answers for INL24CA0069 Enhancing Detainees’ Rights in Tunisia Date: June 17, 2024

Question 1:

How much flexibility do applicants have to design activities that they think will best achieve the project objectives and vision, as informed by the realities in Tunisia, and our experience and best practices from other jurisdictions? In particular, we are inquiring about objective 2, which states that, the “Tunisian public [will] have digitized access to defense lawyers and greater availability of pro-bono legal services during the custody phase. (Additional solutions such as a toll-free number could be considered),” and activity 2, which states the following:

2) Digitizing access to legal assistance, particularly during the custody phase, with a focus on pro bono services. This involves, inter alia:

• Developing a user-friendly digital platform for remote legal consultations.

• Implementing additional innovative solutions to enhance accessibility.

• Ensuring the platform caters to the specific needs of those in custody.

Understanding that the purpose of the project is to ensure the implementation of Law No. 5, and specifically to ensure that people in custody have access to legal representation, to what extent are applicants required to propose a technological/digital solution to this problem? If the applicant determines a different solution would be more appropriate and/or better achieve the result (one that is not primarily or at all technological), will this be considered? Relatedly, if the applicant determines that pro bono or volunteer services are not the best way to achieve the desired result, can we propose an alternative approach, e.g., implementing of a public defender model where legal aid lawyers are paid and receive specialized training.

INL Response:

INL encourages flexibility and creativity of applicants to add activities and solutions that they think will best achieve the project Goal and Objectives. Activities and objectives proposed by the NOFO cannot be replaced. Digitized public access to defense lawyers should be included, and additional solutions, inter alia, toll-free number are highly encouraged.

Applicants should provide solutions and focus on Pro bono and/or volunteer legal counsel services for indigent people. Solutions in addition to the digitized public access are highly encouraged.

Question 2:

The eligibility criteria seem to exclude intergovernmental organizations. Could you please confirm if intergovernmental organizations are ineligible to apply for this funding opportunity?

INL Response:

Public Intergovernmental Organizations are not eligible to apply. Per page 9 of the Notice of Funding Opportunity, the following organizations are eligible to apply:

· U.S.-based non-profit/non-governmental organizations (NGOs);

· U.S.-based educational institutions subject to section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. tax code or section 26 US 115 of the US 115 of the U.S. tax code;

· Foreign-based non-profits/non-governmental organizations (NGOs);

· Foreign-based educational institutions.