Open Call for Trade Union Advocacy for Labour Rights (Bangladesh and Sri Lanka)

Trade unions and civil society organisations in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka can apply for funding to strengthen worker-led monitoring, labour rights advocacy, and policy engagement in garment supply chains. The programme provides grants of up to EUR 60,000 to support initiatives addressing forced labour risks, worker vulnerabilities, evidence-based advocacy, and long-term integration of Worker-Led Monitoring Systems (WLMS).

The initiative aims to increase the role of workers and trade unions in identifying labour rights violations, influencing policy discussions, and improving accountability within garment supply chains.

About the Worker-Led Monitoring Funding Opportunity

This funding opportunity supports trade unions, labour rights organisations, and civil society groups working to strengthen worker-led monitoring systems in garment supply chains across Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

The programme focuses on empowering workers and their representatives to identify, document, report, and address labour rights violations, including forced labour risks and workplace vulnerabilities.

It aims to ensure that worker-generated information contributes to:

Labour rights advocacy.
Collective bargaining.
Policy engagement.
Supply chain accountability.
Due diligence processes.
Protection of vulnerable workers.

Purpose of the Initiative

The programme aims to:

Strengthen trade union involvement in Worker-Led Monitoring Systems (WLMS).
Improve worker participation in labour rights protection.
Support evidence-based advocacy on forced labour.
Increase policy engagement with governments and international institutions.
Promote strategic communication on worker rights.
Build sustainable monitoring systems within trade union structures.

Key Focus Areas

Worker-Led Monitoring Systems (WLMS)

Worker-Led Monitoring Systems allow workers and their organisations to identify and report labour rights concerns directly.

The programme supports:

Worker participation in monitoring processes.
Collection of worker-generated evidence.
Validation of reported violations.
Escalation of serious labour rights concerns.
Integration of worker experiences into advocacy strategies.

Trade Union Capacity Building

Funding supports activities that strengthen trade unions through:

Peer learning.
Exchange programmes.
Training initiatives.
Organisational development.
Strategic planning.
Cross-border collaboration.

Forced Labour Prevention and Labour Rights Protection

Projects may address:

Forced labour risks.
Worker exploitation.
Unsafe working conditions.
Labour rights violations.
Vulnerable worker situations.
Barriers to reporting workplace abuses.

Policy Engagement and Advocacy

Supported projects can strengthen advocacy through:

Policy dialogue.
Research-based recommendations.
Engagement with government authorities.
Collaboration with EU institutions.
Evidence-based campaigns.

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

Trade unions.
Trade union federations.
Trade union support organisations.
Labour rights organisations.
Worker organisations.
Civil society organisations.
Non-profit media and communication organisations working in the public interest.

Applicants must:

Work in Bangladesh or Sri Lanka.
Have experience related to labour rights, garment supply chains, or forced labour monitoring.
Implement worker-centred and non-commercial activities.
Follow safeguarding principles.
Coordinate with relevant worker organisations or civil society actors.

Target Groups and Beneficiaries

The programme supports:

Primary Beneficiaries

Garment workers.
Worker leaders.
Trade union representatives.
Labour rights organisers.

Supporting Stakeholders

The initiative also engages:

Labour inspectors.
Policymakers.
EU institutions.
International organisations.
Civil society networks.
Worker-led monitoring platforms.

Funding Details

Selected projects can receive:

Maximum financial support: Up to EUR 60,000 per third-party project.

Funding may support:

Training programmes.
Research activities.
Advocacy campaigns.
Communication tools.
Exchange activities.
Policy engagement.
Documentation efforts.
Stakeholder coordination.

Supported Activities

Eligible projects may include:

Exchange and Peer Learning

Activities may involve:

Trade union exchange programmes.
Knowledge-sharing workshops.
Regional learning events.
Field visits.
Experience-sharing between worker organisations.

Advocacy and Policy Activities

Projects can support:

Advocacy training.
Policy discussions.
Stakeholder meetings.
Research-based advocacy.
Engagement with labour authorities.

Research and Documentation

Supported activities may include:

Documenting worker experiences.
Research on labour rights issues.
Evidence collection.
Analysis of forced labour risks.
Development of policy recommendations.

Communication and Awareness Activities

Projects may develop:

Advocacy materials.
Digital communication products.
Campaign resources.
Worker awareness tools.
Public information campaigns.

How to Apply / How the Programme Works

Applicants should follow these steps:

Confirm organisational eligibility.
Identify labour rights challenges within garment supply chains.
Develop a worker-centred project concept.
Define activities, beneficiaries, and expected results.
Prepare a detailed budget within the EUR 60,000 funding limit.
Explain how worker-generated evidence will support advocacy and monitoring.
Submit the application according to programme requirements.

Strong proposals should demonstrate:

Experience working with workers and trade unions.
Clear links to forced labour prevention.
Practical approaches to worker-led monitoring.
Sustainable institutional impact.

Expected Results and Outcomes

The initiative aims to achieve:

Stronger trade union participation in WLMS.
Improved identification of labour rights violations.
Better validation and escalation of worker reports.
Increased use of worker evidence in advocacy.
Greater visibility of worker-led monitoring approaches.
Stronger cooperation between unions, civil society, and policymakers.
Long-term integration of WLMS into trade union systems.

Expected Project Outputs

Selected projects are expected to produce:

Peer-learning reports.
Field visit documentation.
Advocacy training sessions.
Research and policy papers.
Campaign materials.
Digital communication products.
Stakeholder dialogue reports.
Recommendations for collective bargaining strategies.
Roadmaps for embedding Worker-Led Monitoring Systems.

Why This Initiative Matters

Garment workers often face challenges such as limited representation, workplace exploitation, and barriers to reporting violations.

This programme is important because it:

Gives workers a stronger voice in labour protection systems.
Supports trade unions in monitoring workplace conditions.
Improves accountability in global supply chains.
Strengthens evidence-based labour advocacy.
Helps prevent forced labour.
Encourages sustainable worker-led solutions.

By placing workers at the centre of monitoring and advocacy, the initiative promotes more transparent and responsible garment supply chains.

Tips for a Strong Application

Applicants should focus on:

Demonstrating experience in labour rights work.
Highlighting partnerships with worker organisations.
Explaining how workers will participate directly.
Providing clear advocacy goals.
Including practical monitoring methods.
Showing how activities will continue beyond funding.
Connecting activities with international labour standards.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

Submitting projects without worker participation.
Focusing only on research without advocacy impact.
Ignoring forced labour risks.
Proposing commercial activities.
Failing to explain sustainability plans.
Providing unclear monitoring approaches.
Excluding trade unions from project design.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the purpose of this funding opportunity?

The programme supports trade unions and civil society organisations to strengthen worker-led monitoring, labour rights advocacy, and policy engagement in garment supply chains.

Which countries are eligible?

Projects must be implemented in Bangladesh or Sri Lanka.

How much funding is available?

Selected third-party projects can receive up to EUR 60,000.

Who can apply?

Eligible applicants include trade unions, worker organisations, labour rights groups, civil society organisations, and non-profit communication organisations working in the public interest.

What is Worker-Led Monitoring System (WLMS)?

WLMS is an approach where workers and their organisations actively collect, report, and use information about workplace conditions and labour rights concerns.

What activities can funding support?

Funding can support training, research, advocacy, exchange programmes, communication campaigns, policy dialogue, and documentation activities.

What are the expected long-term benefits?

The programme aims to permanently strengthen worker-led monitoring structures within trade unions and improve labour rights protection systems.

Conclusion

The Trade Union Empowerment for Worker-Led Monitoring initiative provides critical support to strengthen labour rights organisations and worker representatives in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka’s garment sectors. Through funding for advocacy, research, training, and worker-led monitoring systems, the programme aims to create stronger worker voices, improve protection against forced labour, and promote more accountable global supply chains.