Within the USAID/INSPIRE Human Rights Support Program, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) empowers BiH citizens and authorities to improve human rights protection and provide better employment services and opportunities to marginalized groups in Bosnia and Herzegovina. USAID/INSPIRE continues the achievements of USAID’s Marginalized Groups Support Program (2015-2020). This program has built the capacity of NGOs to cooperate with authorities at all levels. The program provided support for advocating systemic solutions to the problems faced by marginalized groups. Marginalized groups in BiH continue to face major challenges. That is why it is crucial to provide continuous support to those who need it, including victims of trafficking.

USAID/INSPIRE invites non-governmental organizations registered in Bosnia and Herzegovina (associations and foundations established under the laws on associations and foundations in BiH) to submit their project proposals under the Component to Support NGO Activities in Combating Trafficking in Human Beings.

The following cannot apply for the public call: public institutions, government institutions, companies, religious organizations, political entities, as well as international non-governmental organizations that do not have their registered office in Bosnia and Herzegovina in accordance with the laws on associations and foundations in BiH.

All project activities must be implemented in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Project proposals can be submitted for all or part of the funds needed for the implementation of the project.

The amount of the proposed administrative part of the budget (salaries, contributions, taxes, overheads and office expenses) may not exceed 40% of the total budget.

The total available funds for this public call: 750,000 BAM. The minimum amount of funds requested from USAID/INSPIRE may not be less than 50,000 BAM, and the maximum amount of funds requested may not exceed 250,000 BAM. The duration of the project cannot be shorter than 12 months or longer than 24 months.

All questions regarding this public call are submitted exclusively via e-mail address: prijava@usaidinspire.ba, subject: 20.04.0-N2.3-2624, Inquiry until February 17, 2022.

On Monday, February 7, 2022 starting at 11.00 hrs., there will be an online info-session related to the Public Call 20.04.0-N2.3-2624, Support to the activities of non-governmental organizations in the fight against human trafficking. Please use the following link for attending the online info session: https://zoom.us/j/92706576132

The full text of the public call as well as all the necessary forms are available on the online grant management platform APPLY at the link: https://KULT.smapply.io/res/p/komponenta1-2022.

Applicants are required to submit a draft project proposal in electronic form, with all required attachments, until February 20, 2022, 16:00 hrs., after registering as an organization on the online grant management platform APPLY. As part of the application, applicants need to fill in all the information about their organization and select the component to which they apply within the USAID/INSPIRE program, after which they will immediately receive an automatic e-mail as confirmation of receipt of the application. Draft project proposals that are not submitted in the specified manner and by the specified deadline will not be considered.

Note: All potential applicants should register on the online grant management platform APPLY as soon as possible, in order to familiarize themselves with the conditions and technical settings of the application, through the following link: https://KULT.smapply.io/prog/inspire. Please save this link in your bookmarks if you intend to apply to USAID/INSPIRE now or in the future. Detailed instructions on the registration process can be found at: https://kult.smapply.io/res/p/tehnicke-instrukcije/.

If you are already registered on the online grant management platform APPLY, you can get more information by clicking on the “Pages” button in the upper right corner.

Please read the text of the public call carefully before starting the application process and before submitting your project proposal.

Background – fighting against human trafficking in BiH

Human trafficking is primarily a criminal activity, which often has the characteristics of organized and cross-border crime, but it is also a serious violation of human rights guaranteed by international law, the Constitution of BiH, entity constitutions and the Statute of Brčko District of BiH.[1]

The authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina do not fully adhere to the minimum standards for the elimination of human trafficking, but are making significant efforts to do so. The BiH authorities have shown generally increased efforts compared to the previous US Government Trafficking in Persons Report[2], given the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their capacity to combat trafficking. Therefore, Bosnia and Herzegovina has been upgraded to level 2. These efforts include strengthening the Anti-Trafficking Task Force through the allocation of remuneration and operational costs, expanding the Task Force and creating a network of prosecutors and investigators to facilitate coordination. By amending its law, the Republika Srpska increased the minimum sentence for child trafficking from five to 20 years and expanded the definition of human trafficking. A judge in Tuzla Canton issued a sentence with the longest prison sentence so far for forced child begging, and the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA) has set up an operational team in all four regional offices. Authorities have generally stepped up efforts to protect victims by identifying more victims, pooling resources to help domestic and foreign victims and allocating funds to NGOs involved in the fight against trafficking, and developing guidelines for standardizing victim assistance, especially children. Authorities established a new database to standardize data collection on victims of trafficking, established 18 regional monitoring teams to coordinate anti-trafficking activities, and assisted in recruiting and training 25 Roma activists to participate in regional monitoring teams. However, the authorities did not meet the minimum standards in several key areas.

At the state level, no traffickers have been convicted in the RS and Brčko District, while fewer traffickers have been convicted in the Federation of BiH than in the previous year. Law enforcement agencies continued to regularly investigate trafficking in persons with minor qualifications, while judges in the Federation of BiH continued to impose sentences lower than the statutory minimum sentences. Law enforcement agencies lack the capacity, resources and technical knowledge, which hampers their ability to conduct effective victim-centered investigations and prosecute perpetrators. Authorities justified cases of potential forced child begging and forced labor in which Roma were victims of traditional Roma cultural practices and customs and sometimes returned children to their families even when parents were involved in the exploitation of their children. In addition, the authorities did not show proactive efforts to identify victims, which often led the authorities to punish victims for illegal acts forced on them by traffickers and to issue misdemeanor warrants.

Traffickers use minors and adults for the purpose of sexual exploitation within the country in private apartments and motels. Marginalized Roma children are exploited for forced begging, sexual services and domestic service in forced marriages. Women and girls from European countries are trafficked for the purpose of sexual exploitation within the country. Traffickers traffic victims from BiH for sexual exploitation and forced labor in the construction and other sectors in neighboring Balkan countries and across Europe. Thousands of migrants and refugees from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Iraq, Morocco, Syria and neighboring countries, especially unaccompanied women and children passing through BiH or stuck in BiH or smuggled through the country, are at risk of being trafficked.[3]

BiH authorities reported that traffickers avoided serving a prison sentence using a legal provision that replaces up to one year in prison with a fine equal to 100 BAM each day. BiH authorities have not reported on investigations, indictments and convictions against officials involved in human trafficking. Authorities have stepped up efforts to protect victims. They identified 80 potential victims of trafficking during the reporting period for 2020, which is more than in 2019, in which they identified 61 potential victims. Of these, 17 were victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation, 48 were victims of forced begging and 15 were victims of multiple forms of exploitation; 55 victims are female and 25 are male; 45 victims are children and seven are foreign victims. Authorities have established a new database to standardize data collection and expand access to information on identified victims of trafficking. Two bylaws prescribe standard operating procedures (SOPs) for identifying and referring victims to other services, including a list of general indicators, but observers continued to report that first-time officials who come into contact with potential victims do not know or do not know how to use the guidelines and lack the knowledge to accurately identify victims of trafficking.

Authorities run seven day care centers for children and a mobile team for street workers, which conducted field activities to find children wandering and begging in Sarajevo. The mobile team found 165 children wandering and begging (160 children in 2019) and day care centers provided learning assistance, meals and laundry services for 373 children (for 163 children in 2019). The day centers do not have the resources, capacity or staff, and could only provide basic food, organize workshops and provide short-term accommodation for a small number of children.

A report by an international organization noted the lack of standard guidelines and indicators for human trafficking for migrants, questions asked during interviews and interpreters, and general screening capabilities for large influxes of migrants and refugees in institutions whose staff first come into contact with potential victims, the Border Police, the local police and the Service for Foreigners.

Authorities have partially funded five safe houses run by NGOs, and in 2020, the authorities sent 51 victims to these houses. Authorities have consolidated funds to help domestic and foreign victims into one victim protection fund, worth 130,000 BAM, run by the State Coordinator. In this way, it has been possible to use victim assistance resources more effectively than it has been the case before, since in previous years when the authorities returned unused funds to help foreign victims to the state budget instead of reallocating them to help domestic victims. Authorities, in cooperation with NGOs, provided accommodation, psychosocial support, medical assistance, legal aid, and custody for child victims. While access to protection measures is not standardized and is based on non-legally binding acts, the authorities, in cooperation with a non-governmental organization, have developed guidelines and standards for providing assistance to victims, especially children. Victims can voluntarily leave NGO-run shelters after informing staff, but there are no mechanisms to provide assistance to victims outside the shelter, nor in social work centers.

Authorities reported the development of a reintegration plan for each victim as well as vocational training, but authorities did not provide funding for reintegration programs and observers reported cases in which victims sometimes spend several years in shelters due to slow court proceedings and lack of reintegration opportunities.

Authorities reported that standard operating procedures contained standards prohibiting the punishment of victims, but acknowledged that victims continued to be punished because the competent institutions did not know standard operating procedures, and this situation was aggravated by frequent rotations, departures and new recruits.

Authorities did not consistently conduct investigations and prosecutions aimed at the victim. For example, prosecutors did not need permission to work with children and often questioned child victims without the presence of a psychologist or social worker. Police did not consistently inform victims’ representatives about interviews with the victim, and some courts required victims to testify without prior notice or preparation.

Victims may file a property claim during criminal proceedings or may initiate civil litigation. In 2020, a district court awarded the victim compensation in the amount of 7,500 BAM, but the victim was never paid because the funds from the sale of illegally acquired property and illegally acquired funds confiscated from traffickers were paid into the state budget and not used to compensate victims. Judges generally refused to award compensation in criminal proceedings and encouraged victims to seek redress in civil litigation, according to observers who noted that in civil proceedings victims had to testify again and submit medical findings, causing them to be traumatized again, despite perpetrators of trafficking have already been convicted in criminal proceedings.

The USAID/INSPIRE Human Rights Support Program has awarded ongoing 2021 anti-trafficking grants. More information about the ongoing projects is available at the link HERE, in order to prevent repeating the same or very similar projects in the same locations.

General guidelines for applicants

This public call (number 20.04.0-N2.3-2624) consists of 2 phases – Phase 1 (draft project proposal, along with other documentation) and Phase 2 (full project proposal and budget, along with other documentation).

It is important that the applicant takes measures so that in each activity the project beneficiaries are in no way exposed to the potential risk of inconvenience or risk of human rights violations.

All the guidelines stated in this public call apply to both the 1st and 2nd phase of the application, so it is important to consult this document when applying in the 2nd phase, if the applicant passes the 1st phase.

The use of funds for renovation works under this public call is not allowed.

Work with non-police officers allowed.

The requested amount in Phase 2 must be equal to or lower than the amount requested in Phase 1 (lower in the case of finding additional donors up to Phase 2). The planned duration of the project in phase 2 cannot be different from 1st phase

Public call areas

Project proposals should relate to the following areas, in accordance with the Strategy for Combating Human Trafficking in Bosnia and Herzegovina 2020-2023:

Area 1: Involvement of Roma NGOs in the referral mechanism, their strengthening and involvement in the work of coordination teams in cantons and entities, and involvement in mechanisms and protocols in local communities.
Area 2: Direct medical, repatriation, legal, transport and other services to help children and adolescents as victims of trafficking through day care centers for people working and living on the streets.
Area 3: Strengthen the capacity of judicial institutions to effectively enforce the provisions of criminal law in matters of insurance: easier access to compensation for victims of trafficking, impunity for victims of trafficking, punishment of users of victims of trafficking and punishment of legal persons for trafficking.
Area 4: Prevention of stigmatization and reduction of stereotypes towards women victims of trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation among officials and in public.
Area 5: Ensuring the engagement of a legal representative (legal aid) for victims of trafficking during criminal proceedings so that the rights of victims are guaranteed throughout the criminal proceedings.

In the application, the applicant will state which area he/she primarily deals with in his/her project proposal. Project proposals that do not fit into any of the above areas will not be considered.

Conditions and application procedures

USAID/INSPIRE is opening a grant fund aimed at supporting anti-trafficking activities in BiH. Project proposals can be submitted for all or part of the funds needed for the implementation of the candidate project.

The minimum amount of funds requested from USAID/INSPIRE may not be less than 50,000 BAM and the maximum amount of funds requested may not exceed 250,000 BAM.

The amount of the proposed administrative part of the budget (salaries, contributions, taxes, overheads and office expenses) may not exceed 40% of the total budget requested from USAID.

The duration of the project cannot be shorter than 12 months or longer than 24 months.

During the implementation of the project, the applicant will be responsible for managing the content and financial part of the project, as well as for narrative and financial reporting to USAID/INSPIRE.

Applications and required documentation must be written in one of the official languages of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Applications must be completed electronically.

Incomplete applications, applications received after the deadline, applications that are not submitted in the prescribed manner, as well as applications on inappropriate forms will not be considered. Documentation submitted but not requested will not be considered.

All questions regarding this public call are submitted exclusively via e-mail address: prijava@usaidinspire.ba (subject: 20.04.0-N2.3-2624, Inquiry) until February 17, 2022.

On Monday, February 7, 2022 starting at 11.00 hrs., an online info-session will be held related to the Public Call 20.04.0-N2.3-2624, Support to the activities of non-governmental organizations in the fight against human trafficking. Please use the following link for attending the online info session: https://zoom.us/j/92706576132. All information provided at the online info-session, which is in conflict with the public call, the text of the public call will be relevant.

Phase 1

Project proposals are initially submitted only in the form of a draft project proposal, which can be found on the online grant management platform APPLY.

In addition to the draft project proposal, it is necessary to submit a certificate of tax registration (ID number). The tax registration certificate, as well as all the documents that you will be required to enclose with your application in the following stages, can be added by going through your APPLY profile (or by clicking directly on the link: https://kult.smapply.io/acc/app/#eligibility) fill in the Eligibility form which you can change at any time regardless of whether you are in the middle of an application for one of the grants or not. Thus, the applicant provides timely, detailed and comprehensive insight into the status of organization, both today and in the future. The decision on registration/excerpt from the register (not older than one year) can be submitted until the application for the 2nd phase.

Applications submitted in a different way from those indicated in the public call, or submitted after the deadline, will not be considered.

Each organization can apply with a maximum of one draft project proposal within this public call. In case an organization submits more than one project, only the first received application will be considered.

Applicants may or may not have a project partner. The statement on partnership, i.e., letters of support are submitted in the 2nd phase, and more information on this topic is available in the part: 2nd phase.

The USAID/INSPIRE Evaluation Committee conducts a preliminary evaluation of project proposals based on information and documentation submitted by applicants.

Preliminary review of the draft project proposal includes the following criteria:

Elimination criteria:

All the documentation that was stated in the call as obligatory was submitted, and the Eligibility form was filled in
The project directly deals with one of the mentioned areas of the public call.

Scoring criteria:

The problem is described in a clear and understandable way, and data are provided that confirm that the problem really exists.
Victims of trafficking are one of the main target groups of activities implemented by the organization;
The organization is currently working on anti-trafficking issues or providing support in resolving this issue; the organization is professionalized to provide support in working on issues listed in the areas of the public call.
The project proposal is in line with the measures set out in the Strategy for Combating Human Trafficking in Bosnia and Herzegovina 2020-2023 (within the area covered by the project proposal).
There is a clear link between the selected area of the public call and the project.
The project is in line with current and previous interventions in the public call area.
The project objectives are in line with the selected area of the public call.
The goals are specific, measurable and realistic and can be achieved during the project or shortly after completion.
An appropriate methodology has been selected that will lead to the fulfillment of the objectives.
The organization cooperated with other organizations, authorities, the community and other stakeholders in its previous or current projects.
The organization creates synergies with stakeholders, authorities, the community and other anti-trafficking organizations.
The organization has the capacity (organizational structure) to implement the project.
The organization has relevant previous achievements in relation to the areas from the public call.
The amount of revenue in each of the last three years was equal to or greater than the amount requested for the project.

The evaluation committee will contact the contact persons and recommendations in order to check the data on the previously achieved results.

After the Commission evaluates and ranks all received draft project proposals, all applicants will be informed about the outcome of the evaluation of their application through the online grant management platform APPLY. Those project proposals that are positively evaluated enter the 2nd phase of application.

Phase 2

Applicants who are informed that they have successfully passed Phase 1 will be required to submit a full project proposal, which can be completed via the online grant management platform APPLY, a budget on the OBR-INS-GRB form, and a completed Partnership Statement, at OBR-INS-PAR form (only if the organization has a partner in the project) and possibly a letter or letters of support from government institutions.

In addition to the full project proposal and budget, it is necessary to submit a decision on the registration of the legal entity or an excerpt from the register (the document must not be older than one year). As mentioned above in Phase 1, these documents are submitted via the Eligibility form, and via your APPLY profile (or by clicking directly on the link: https://kult.smapply.io/acc/app/#eligibility).

The following will be taken into account when evaluating project proposals:

All documentation specified in the public call and APPLY was submitted as mandatory,
An in-depth analysis of the problem was made, which indicates that the applicant understands the subject of the public call and that the applicant has all relevant information,
The project idea is in accordance with the criteria of the public call, it is clear and understandable,
The project proposal is in line with the measures set out in the Strategy for Combating Human Trafficking in Bosnia and Herzegovina 2020-2023 (within the area covered by the project proposal),
The applicant has a specific, responsible approach and methodology of working with victims of trafficking,
The project proposal envisages direct cooperation with victims of human trafficking,
The proposed methodology for the implementation of activities leads to the desired results, is specific, is in line with the public call and gives a clear picture of the project intervention,
The project proposal is submitted by an organization that works with victims of trafficking in human beings and on the issue of trafficking in human beings in BiH, and promoting the rights of victims of trafficking in human beings, or is professionalized to support work on issues listed in the public call,
Expected results include direct support or advocacy on behalf of victims of trafficking,
Project results with accompanying indicators contribute to the fulfillment of project objectives, are specific and measurable with a specified target group and their number,
Project monitoring and evaluation tools are clearly defined that can be used to assess project success.
The budget reflects a good ratio of money invested and results achieved; project activities are aligned with costs, and costs are clearly explained in the narrative part of the budget,
Applicants are encouraged to have co-financing, either in kind or in cash,
The project proposal is not based solely on the development and distribution of promotional and advocacy material, or only on holding seminars and trainings, and does not include unnecessary costs,
It is evident from the project proposal that there are real possibilities to achieve a result during the project or immediately after,
Activities are evenly distributed throughout the project, and their schedule is realistic and chronologically well coordinated,
The potential risks in the implementation of the project have been identified and measures to reduce them have been described,
Organizations show the ability to successfully partner with the authorities, other organizations and various stakeholders working with the marginalized population in BiH,
Specific objectives lead to the fulfillment of the general objective, are measurable and realistic, and there is a real possibility to be achieved during the project or immediately after it,
The project proposal promotes the sustainability of the achieved project goals and results,
The project is represented in the public through promotional activities, envisages appearing in public in order to reach a wider audience, and enables the appearance of donors,
Organizations create synergies with stakeholders, authorities, the community and other organizations working in the same field,
The applicant clearly identifies the potential negative effects of the intervention/activity it intends to implement and proposes measures it intends to take to avoid this risk,
The proposed project is not a repetition of another ongoing or completed project, is based on the success of current and previous interventions in the field of combating trafficking in human beings, and uses best practices and lessons learned,
The applicant demonstrates an understanding of the problem of trafficking in human beings and has knowledge of existing interventions/projects dealing with this topic,
The applicant demonstrates innovation in an approach based on lessons learned and best practices, and proposes an upgrade to existing and/or previous projects or a partnership with existing anti-trafficking interventions.

Applicants may or may not have a project partner. Partners in the project can be non-governmental organizations (associations and foundations) registered in BiH, for which they submit a completed Partnership Statement form. If the applicant has the support of government institutions from one of the levels in BiH, other organizations or stakeholders, it is necessary to submit their letters of support. A statement of partnership, as well as letters of support, should be submitted in this, phase 2, if the applicant is selected to participate in phase 2.

The requested amount in Phase 2 must be equal to or lower than the requested amount in Phase 1 (in case of finding additional donors up to Phase 2 of the application). The requested amount in the 2nd phase of application must not be higher than the requested amount in the 1st phase, which can lead to elimination in the 2nd phase. The duration of the project cannot be changed in relation to the stated duration in the 1st phase.

If USAID/INSPIRE requests answers or clarifications to certain parts of the draft project proposal in phase 1, it is necessary for the applicant to answer these questions by official letter, and for this letter to be attached to the full project application, which will be considered attached to the final application.

The beneficiary of a grant from USAID funds is required to register in the US Government SAM system, and have a DUNS number (DUNS Unique Entity ID), as well as a SAM number (SAM Unique Entity ID). If the grant beneficiary does not already have a registration with SAM, the beneficiary is obliged to have an ACTIVE registration until the application for the 2nd phase. SAM registration: https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration

Instructions for obtaining a DUNS number: https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1863/Attachment_1 How_to_Request_a_DU NS_Number.pdf

The SAM number is automatically obtained by successfully registering in SAM.

After evaluating the full project proposals, all applicants will be informed of the outcome of the evaluation of their application through the online grant management platform APPLY.

Those project proposals that are positively evaluated enter the phase of grant negotiations and the phase of signing the contract. In the negotiation phase, USAID/INSPIRE and the applicant will agree on a project proposal, in particular the parts related to project delivery, monitoring and evaluation. Notification of a positive evaluation of a project proposal does not necessarily mean that USAID/INSPIRE will sign a contract with the organization or that the project proposal will be funded. The signing of the grant agreement regulates the mutual relations of cooperation, rights and obligations of both contracting parties.

Grant conditions

Organizations that have the best project proposals and are shortlisted must enable USAID/INSPIRE to conduct a pre-grant assessment of the organization’s performance and operations in the previous period. Pre-grant evaluation involves an analysis of the applicant’s organizational, financial, administrative and human resources.

Only organizations whose projects are best evaluated and who successfully pass the pre-grant evaluation process can be grant beneficiaries. USAID has no obligation to explain its decision individually to applicants. USAID reserves the right not to allocate all available funds provided for in this public call.

Strengthening organizational capacity

The signing of the grant agreement implies, in addition to the implementation of project activities, the readiness of organizations to actively participate in the development of their organizational capacity with the full support of USAID/INSPIRE.

Organizational capacity development includes:

Implementation of findings and recommendations from the pre-grant assessment (PGR) during the project, which is carried out before signing the contract with USAID/INSPIRE and is a condition for signing the contract;
Active work on capacity building and improvement of existing rules and procedures governing the work of the organization, where necessary (through the tool KULT/POK).
Participation in educations and trainings organized by USAID/INSPIRE (up to nine trainings during the year for the organization’s staff);
Use of KULT/POP tools for self-assessment of organizational performance and implementation of KULT/POP4 process of strengthening and development of organizational performance;

Pre-grant evaluation is conducted after Phase 2 of the application, and prior to the signing of the contract, and it is a condition for signing the contract with USAID/INSPIRE. In case of non-compliance with the deadlines for submission of applications, or deadlines related to pre-grant audit, the applicant will be eliminated.

Deadline for submission of draft project proposal

Applicants are requested to submit a draft project proposal in electronic form, with all required attachments, until February 24, 2022, 16:00 hrs., via the online grant management platform APPLY, after which applicants will immediately receive an automatic e-mail as an acknowledgment of receipt. Draft project proposals that are not submitted in this way will not be considered. Applicants who do not receive an automatic response within 30 minutes of submission should immediately contact the e-mail address prijava@usaidinspire.ba (subject: 20.04.0-N2.3-2624, Inquiry).

Note: All potential applicants should register for the APPLY online grant management platform via the link: https://KULT.smapply.io/prog/inspire as soon as possible, in order to familiarize themselves with the conditions and technical settings of the application. Detailed instructions on the registration process can be found at: https://kult.smapply.io/res/p/tehnicke-instrukcije/

In case of changes to the public call, USAID/INSPIRE will publish the text with highlighted changes on the page: https://KULT.smapply.io/res/p/komponenta1-2022.

[1] Council of Ministers of BiH, Strategy for Combating Human Trafficking in Bosnia and Herzegovina 2020 – 2023.

[2] https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-trafficking-in-persons-report/bosnia-and-herzegovina/, December 2021.

[3] https://ba.usembassy.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/270/Izvjestaj-o-trgovini-ljudima-BOS-2020.pdf, accessed 18 February 2021.

Public Call for Project Proposals – Human Rights Support Program (USAID/INSPIRE)