Juvenile Justice Institutions in El Salvador collaborate and coordinate to reform the Juvenile Justice Regulation and Policies in El Salvador | OFOP0001366

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this funding opportunity about?

This is a competitive cooperative agreement from the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) to support reforms to El Salvador's juvenile justice system. The focus is on implementing parts of INL El Salvador's roadmap to strengthen restorative and rehabilitative justice, reduce juvenile reoffending, and improve community well-being.

What is the main goal of the project?

The project is designed to help shift El Salvador's juvenile justice system away from approaches that rely heavily on punitive detention and toward a more coordinated framework that prioritizes rehabilitation, reintegration, and alternative responses for adolescents in conflict with the law.

Who is offering the award?

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

What type of award is this?

This opportunity is a discretionary cooperative agreement. A cooperative agreement generally involves substantial engagement by the U.S. government during implementation compared to a standard grant.

What is the opportunity number?

The opportunity number is OFOP0001366.

What is the CFDA number and activity category?

The CFDA number is 19.703, and the opportunity falls under the Law, Justice and Legal Services activity category.

How many awards does INL expect to make?

INL expects to make one award.

What is the maximum funding amount available?

The award ceiling is $700,000.

When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?

The opportunity was posted on May 10, 2024. The original closing date for applications was July 10, 2024.

What system is the project focused on?

The project focuses on El Salvador's juvenile justice system, specifically reforms affecting adolescents in conflict with the law.

What is at the center of the grant's work?

The central emphasis is improving and modernizing the regulatory and policy framework that governs juvenile justice in El Salvador, while strengthening coordination across institutions so policies, procedures, and legal tools work together rather than in separate silos.

Which institutions are expected to be involved or convened?

The selected implementer is expected to convene and support collaboration among national institutions and decision-makers, including the Office of the First Lady, CONAPINA, the Supreme Court, the Attorney General's Office, the Public Defender's Office, and the ministries of Justice and Public Security, Finance, Education, Labor, Health, and Governance.

What are the three core activity areas described in the solicitation?

The solicitation identifies three core activity areas: (1) supporting stakeholders to draft a National Juvenile Justice Policy, (2) assisting CONAPINA to develop practical regulations, internal policies, and standard operating procedures (SOPs), and (3) strengthening coordination between CONAPINA and juvenile court judges to identify and propose legal reforms that enable rehabilitative programming to be implemented and scaled.

What is the National Juvenile Justice Policy expected to accomplish?

The National Juvenile Justice Policy is described as an overarching strategic document that defines goals, responsibilities, and standards for handling youth cases in ways that support rehabilitation and public safety.

What kinds of deliverables might be included under CONAPINA-related support?

The opportunity calls for helping CONAPINA develop practical regulations, internal policies, and SOPs. This typically includes clarifying roles, decision pathways, referral mechanisms, case management expectations, and safeguards to support consistent practice across the system.

How does the opportunity address legal reform?

It emphasizes strengthening coordination between CONAPINA and juvenile court judges so they can work together on identifying and proposing legal reforms that make rehabilitative programming easier to implement and scale for adolescents.

Is the grant only about producing written policies and procedures?

No. While policy and regulatory drafting is central, the grant is also aimed at changing day-to-day institutional coordination and building shared understanding among stakeholders about restorative justice and rehabilitation, including how these approaches look in practice and how they can be institutionalized.

What does the opportunity say about restorative justice and rehabilitation?

The solicitation prioritizes building a shared understanding among stakeholders regarding restorative and rehabilitative approaches for youth justice, and supporting their institutionalization within government systems.

Does the project encourage alternatives to detention?

Yes. A key priority is encouraging broader and more consistent use of alternative sentencing options by juvenile judges, including diversion measures and other non-custodial dispositions when appropriate.

What conditions does the project aim to create to support alternative sentencing?

The opportunity notes that alternatives to detention become more realistic and sustainable when judges have credible programs to rely on, clear legal and procedural guidance, and coordinated support services. Proposed activities are expected to help create these conditions.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility includes U.S.-based nonprofits/NGOs, U.S.-based educational institutions qualifying under 501(c)(3) (and certain public institutions referenced in the notice), as well as foreign-based (non-local) nonprofits/NGOs and foreign-based (non-local) educational institutions.

Are local Salvadoran organizations included in the eligibility description provided?

The eligibility language provided describes non-local organizations (U.S.-based and foreign-based non-local entities). No additional eligibility details beyond that are included in the information provided.

What kinds of organizational experience does INL appear to be looking for?

The opportunity is geared toward organizations with demonstrated capacity in justice sector reform, support for policy and regulatory drafting, multi-agency coordination, and the design and institutionalization of rehabilitative and restorative approaches for youth justice systems.

What is CONAPINA in the context of this opportunity?

CONAPINA is described as the national body responsible for the protection of children and adolescents, and it is a central institutional partner for developing regulations, internal policies, and SOPs related to youth in conflict with the law.

What role do juvenile court judges play in the proposed work?

The opportunity emphasizes strengthening coordination between CONAPINA and juvenile court judges, particularly to support legal reform efforts and to enable greater use of rehabilitative programming and alternative sentencing options.

What is meant by "coordination across actors" in this solicitation?

It refers to aligning policies, procedures, and legal tools across major institutions (including judicial bodies and multiple ministries) so the juvenile justice system operates as a coordinated framework rather than a set of separate, siloed processes.