Call for Proposals:
The recent report of the Task Force on Justice finds that “5.1 billion people – two-thirds of the world’s population – lack meaningful access to justice”. It goes on to state that this justice gap is “both a reflection of structural inequalities and a contributor to these inequalities”. It also notes that women, children, poor people, people with disabilities, and people from minority ethnic communities are among the vulnerable groups that find it hardest to access justice. The report further recognizes that the “most appropriate solutions may come not from courts but from informal or alternative justice providers”.
However, there is some cause for optimism. Under the Sustainable Development Goal 16.3, governments across the world are committed to ensure justice for all by 2030. Strategy 1.3 of the Myanmar Sustainable Development Plan 2018 - 2030 (MSDP) is aligned with SDG 16.3 and seeks to “promote greater access to justice, individual rights and adherence to the rule of law”. Interestingly, there is a growing recognition of legal pluralism within the Government of Myanmar. The State Counsellor has observed that “Myanmar has a long tradition of settling disputes through their village and ethnic leaders according to long-held customs in each region of Myanmar” and the Union Coordination Body for Rule of Law Centres and Justice Sector Affairs’ Strategic Plan 2019 – 2023 includes as its strategic objective 2.3 “Informal and for¬mal justice systems link more effectively”.
MyJustice believes that despite the significant political changes in Myanmar, it will take generations for the state justice system to be reformed and people to trust it. Focusing solely on formal justice sector reform is likely to exclude many people from any form of justice for years to come. It is in this context that MyJustice calls for proposals for promoting more responsive and fair community justice systems in Myanmar.
Interested applicants should review the Call for Proposal and Application Guidance (CFP):
• Call for Proposal and Application Guidance (PDF)
These guidance notes are designed to help applicants complete the proposal application templates provided for submitting their proposals. It is important to read these notes before and during the process of completing the application. Failure to provide information as requested or in the requested format may lead to disqualification of the application.
All applications must be made using the templates provided. Applicants are provided with three templates to complete:
• Template A: Technical proposal (Word)
• Template B: Financial proposal (Excel)
• Template C: Due diligence checklist (Word)
• Template D: Contingency Plan (Word)
In addition, applicants are encouraged to
• read MyJustice guidance on gender equality and social inclusion at Annex 1: GESI partner guidance
• review the existing locations for MyJustice supported programming on paralegals and legal aid in Myanmar at Annex 2: MyJustice programme locations
Proposals must be submitted electronically to: myjustice@mm.britishcouncil.org. To be considered for funding in the first phase, your application must reach us before 13 November 2020 2300hrs Yangon time. Any questions or clarification may either be asked in written form on/before or orally during a proposed webinar on 3 November 2020.
Please read the Call for Proposal for further details.