Open Competition: Countering the Illicit Exotic Pet Trade in South and Central Asia

Deadline: 17-Jul-23

The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a project to counter wildlife trafficking and further strengthen/enhance cross border collaboration in Central and South Asia.

Project Goal(s) and Objectives

• The goal of this program is to reduce the illegal trade of wildlife targeted for the exotic pet market by deepening the understanding and knowledge of this trade across Central and South Asia including India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan to enable INL to direct resources to enhance the ability and capacity of governments to interdict, investigate and prosecute wildlife trafficking and enhance cross border collaboration.
• INL is interested in supporting programs that will deliver a detailed data-driven assessment of the illicit exotic pet trade across the Central and South Asia region and the target countries within them, with the aim of providing future targeted support to government partners within law enforcement and criminal justice sectors. Applicants should propose a clear methodology for how to achieve as many activities as possible under each objective, noting that in some countries this may be difficult.
• Applications will be prioritized if they demonstrate awareness and synergies with ongoing wildlife trafficking programs in the target countries, or that bring together a consortium of partners to implement program activities in a strategic and coordinated approach.
• They encourage proposals that are innovative, leverage existing partnerships and technologies, and engage, empower and support the development of local NGOs and partner organizations within the focus countries. Proposals with clear a clear vision for how activities, outcomes and outputs will be delivered will be considered highly.

Goal: Reduce the illegal extraction and trafficking of wildlife targeted for the exotic pet trade in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal, Bhutan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan and the ability of criminal groups to carry out and profit from these activities.

Objectives

• South Asia Focus
• Deepen the understanding of the growing illegal trade in wildlife (non-native and native) for the exotic pet market by undertaking a comprehensive assessment across the South Asia region (including: India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan). The assessment could include, but is not limited to;
  • The rate and frequency that specific species are targeted for the exotic pet trade in markets, private collections, etc.
  • The identification of regional trafficking routes/hubs including source and destination information.
  • The drivers of demand as well as any emerging trends or patterns.
  • Detailed analysis of the type of criminal networks behind the illegal trade in exotic species to supply the pet trade (organized crime syndicates and individuals).
  • The main procurers of exotic pets (individuals, commercial zoos, private collectors).
  • The extent to which exotic pets are traded online, including an analysis of the types of online platforms most used and mechanisms to subvert detection.
  • An analysis of the national laws and policies related to exotic pet trade in each country to identify gaps and areas of greatest need.
  • The extent to which existing laws and policies are applied to address the exotic pet trade and any barriers that should be addressed to strengthen wildlife law enforcement (e.g., the level of awareness amongst enforcement officials, the availability of facilities for confiscated live animals, etc.).
  • An analysis of the illicit flow of income generated across the illicit exotic pet trade (across source, transit and destination countries), with the overall understanding of the level of illicit financial flows stemming from the exotic pet trade.
  • Conclusions and recommendations.
• Central Asia Focus
• Deepen the understanding of the growing illegal trade in wildlife (non-native and native) for the exotic pet market by undertaking a comprehensive assessment across the Central Asia region (including: Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan).
• The assessment could include, but is not limited to;
  • The rate and frequency that specific species are targeted for the exotic pet trade in markets, private collections, etc.
  • The identification of regional trafficking routes/hubs including source and destination information.
  • The drivers of demand as well as any emerging trends or patterns.
  • Detailed analysis of the type of criminal networks behind the illegal trade in exotic species to supply the pet trade (organized crime syndicates and individuals).
  • The main procurers of exotic pets (individuals, commercial zoos, private collectors).
  • The extent to which exotic pets are traded online, including an analysis of the types of online platforms most used and mechanisms to subvert detection.
  • An analysis of the national laws and policies related to exotic pet trade in each country to identify gaps and areas of greatest need.
  • The extent to which existing laws and policies are applied to address the exotic pet trade and any barriers that should be addressed to strengthen wildlife law enforcement (e.g., the level of awareness amongst enforcement officials, the availability of facilities for confiscated live animals, etc).
  • An analysis of the illicit flow of income generated across the illicit exotic pet trade (across source, transit and destination countries), with the overall understanding of the level of illicit financial flows stemming from the exotic pet trade.
  • Conclusions and recommendations.

Funding Information

• Total available funding: $600,000.00
• Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $300,000.00 to a maximum of $600,000.00.
• Length of performance period: 24 months

Participants and Audiences: The program should focus on law enforcement and judicial agencies and organizations across the government spectrum, non-government organizations, international organizations, local non-government organizations, civil society, local business owners, media, education, the financial sector, protected area managers, agencies charged with investigating online crime, and additional agencies that may intersect with the illicit exotic pet trade.

Priority Region/Countries: Central and South Asia including India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.

Eligibility Criteria

• 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;
  • 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

For more information, visit Grants.gov.