Pilot Project on Labour Rights and Decent Working Conditions in Ghana

Deadline: 08-Mar-2026

Le Pont Bridge is inviting proposals from Ghana-based organizations to implement a 12-month pilot project focused on strengthening labour rights, worker empowerment, and decent work across agricultural value chains. The initiative applies a market systems development approach and offers funding of up to CHF 50,000 (GHS 675,000), covering up to 80% of project costs, with the potential for long-term partnership.

Programme Overview

The Le Pont Bridge Pilot Project aims to expand the organisation’s regional engagement into Ghana, focusing on improving labour conditions in agricultural value chains through systemic, sustainable change. Rather than isolated interventions, the programme emphasizes embedding improved labour practices within local market systems so that benefits endure beyond the project period.

The selected partner will design and implement a one-year pilot initiative that addresses structural challenges affecting agricultural workers, while laying the groundwork for a potential long-term collaboration with Le Pont Bridge.

Core Objectives

The pilot project is expected to:

• Strengthen labour rights and decent work conditions in agriculture

• Promote worker empowerment and representation

• Apply a market systems development (MSD) approach to ensure sustainability

• Embed incentives and ownership among local market actors

• Contribute to more resilient and inclusive agricultural value chains

Focus Areas

Key thematic priorities include:

• Labour rights awareness and compliance

• Worker voice, representation, and empowerment

• Decent work standards across agricultural production

• Collaboration with cooperatives, agribusinesses, and authorities

• Incentive-driven solutions that align worker welfare with market performance

Who Is Eligible?

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be a Ghana-based organization

• Be deeply rooted in target communities

• Have strong credibility with key stakeholders, including:

  • Agricultural cooperatives

  • Private sector actors

  • Local or regional authorities

• Demonstrate experience working across agricultural market systems

• Show capacity to mobilise co-financing and external contributions

• Present a clear long-term vision for improving labour conditions

Funding Details

• Maximum grant amount: CHF 50,000 (approximately GHS 675,000)

• Funding coverage: Up to 80% of total project budget

• Co-financing requirement:

  • Applicant must contribute financially

  • Additional contributions from market actors are encouraged

• Project duration: 12 months

How the Pilot Works

1. Proposal Submission: Ghana-based organisations submit a project design aligned with labour rights and market systems development

2. Partner Selection: Le Pont Bridge selects one organisation based on capacity, systemic approach, and long-term vision

3. Pilot Implementation: Selected partner implements the project over 12 months

4. Systemic Engagement: Activities involve cooperatives, businesses, and authorities to embed change

5. Assessment for Scale-Up: Pilot results inform potential long-term partnership in Ghana

Why It Matters

Agricultural workers often face poor labour conditions, weak representation, and limited bargaining power. This pilot project addresses these challenges by focusing on system-level change, ensuring that improved labour standards are:

• Economically viable

• Locally owned

• Reinforced by market incentives

The initiative supports not only workers, but also the resilience and productivity of agricultural value chains, benefiting rural economies more broadly.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Proposing short-term or standalone activities without systemic integration

• Weak engagement with private sector or market actors

• Lack of co-financing or unclear financial commitments

• Insufficient articulation of long-term impact beyond the pilot year

FAQ

What type of organisation can apply?
Only Ghana-based organisations with strong local presence and stakeholder recognition are eligible.

What is the project duration?
The pilot project runs for 12 months.

How much funding is available?
Up to CHF 50,000 (approximately GHS 675,000), covering a maximum of 80% of total costs.

Is co-financing required?
Yes. Applicants must contribute financially and are encouraged to mobilise additional support from market actors.

What approach must projects use?
Projects must apply a market systems development approach focused on sustainable change.

Is this a one-off grant?
No. The pilot is designed to identify a partner for potential long-term collaboration in Ghana.

Which sectors are targeted?
Agricultural value chains, with a focus on labour conditions and worker empowerment.

Conclusion

The Le Pont Bridge Ghana Pilot Project offers a strategic opportunity for a locally rooted organisation to lead systemic improvements in agricultural labour conditions. By combining co-financing, market incentives, and worker empowerment, the initiative aims to create lasting, scalable change while opening the door to a long-term partnership that strengthens Ghana’s agricultural value chains and rural livelihoods.

For more information, visit Le Pont Bridge.