The ARD/Checchi Rule of Law Consortium will soon be soliciting proposals for projects to strengthen core legal institutions and processes in the NIS. These projects should support legal reform; encourage an orderly transition to a market economy; and protect human rights and limit possibilities of arbitrary use of power by the government. The intent is to create a stable legal and political environment for developing and strengthening the Rule of Law in the transition to democratic, market-based societies.

Although support is not limited to any predetermined list of activities, the following are illustrative:

• increasing public awareness and knowledge of laws and legal procedures

• helping citizens protect their individual and property rights

• helping citizens utilize the legal system for the adjudication of conflict

• developing systems of private and quasi-public alternative dispute resolution

• helping the public remove legal and regulatory constraints on private sector commercial activities

• helping the public establish constitu-tional guarantees of private owner-ship, commercial activity and public accountability

• developing a system of administra-tive law, public defenders' offices, and other oversight organizations

Proposals are to be from US non-profit, non-governmental and private voluntary organizations and groups in co-partnership with corresponding institutions in Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, the Transcaucuses or the NIS as a whole. The proposals may originate with the NIS partner. Official public institutions (libraries, educational institutions, ect.) may also participate. All proposals will require a 25% match from non-federal sources. Most awards will range from $5,000 to $25,000, some may be higher.

For more information contact the Rule of Law Consortium:

Rule of Law Consortium
(ARD/Checchi Joint Venture)
NIS Regional Grants Program
1819 L. Street, NW, 5th Floor
Washington, D.C. 20036
Fax: (202) 861-0370
Message: (202) 861-0513

Rule of Law Consortium
(ARD/Checchi Joint Venture)
ul. Nezhdanovoi dom 6, kv. 24
Moscow, Russia 103009
Fax: 095-229-8219
Tel: (095) 229-8623, 229-0443

Rule of Law Consortium
(ARD/Checchi Joint Venture)
Mara Moldwin, Director
Dom Kino, 6 ul. Saksagansky
Kiev, Ukraine 252004
Fax: (044) 220-8505
Tel: (044) 227-4617

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Center for Civil Society International [email protected]