Promoting Internationally Recognized Labor Rights in Vietnam, South Asia

Deadline: 30 November 2016

The United States Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) is seeking proposals from eligible organizations for projects that support the policy objective of promoting internationally recognized labor rights in Vietnam, South Asia and the Gulf.

Funding Information

DRL anticipates having approximately $1,300,000 available to support approximately two successful applications submitted in response to this NOFO, subject to the availability of funding.
DRL will support one award for Vietnam and one award for the South Asia and Gulf migration corridor project.
Applications should not request less than $250,000 or more than the amount listed as available for each award.
Applicants should include an anticipated start date between April 2017 – September 2017 and the period of performance should be between 18-36 months.

Proposal Priorities

In Vietnam ($500,000 available), DRL seeks to support internationally recognized worker rights.
- DRL requests proposals that promote increased understanding and awareness of and capacity to engage on internationally recognized labor rights in Vietnam on the part of civil society, including workers.
- Proposed projects should develop sustainable mechanisms for workers and a range of civil society organizations to support increased monitoring and understanding of labor rights and standards.
- Applicants should seek to engage relevant stakeholders at the national, provincial and local levels to promote a greater understanding of these issues and to foster constructive labor relations under current and future labor laws.
- Proposals should demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of other technical assistance programs in Vietnam and clearly indicate how proposed activities are complementary to those efforts.
In South Asia and the Gulf ($800,000 available), DRL seeks to promote migrant workers’ rights on both ends of the migration corridor.
- Projects should propose creative and comprehensive interventions that advance migrant worker rights at all stages of the migration process, including by advancing new partnerships and technology to promote migrant workers’ rights.
- DRL requests innovative proposals that support the establishment or development of labor organization- and/or other civil society-driven efforts that advance labor rights of migrants in countries of origin and destination.
- Target countries must include at least two of the following only: Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Qatar, Kuwait, UAE, and Saudi Arabia.
- Proposals should demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of other labor migration-focused technical assistance programs in the target region and clearly indicate how proposed activities are complementary to those efforts.
- Organizations submitting an application for this category are strongly encouraged to do so in partnership with at least one other organization

Eligibility Criteria

DRL welcomes applications from U.S.-based and foreign-based non-profit organizations/nongovernment organizations (NGO) and public international organizations; private, public, or state institutions of higher education; and for-profit organizations or businesses.
DRL’s preference is to work with non-profit entities; however, there may be some occasions when a for-profit entity is best suited.
Applicants must have existing, or the capacity to develop, active partnerships with thematic or in-country partners, entities and relevant stakeholders, including private sector partners and NGOs, and have demonstrable experience in administering successful and preferably similar projects.
DRL encourages applications from foreign-based NGOs headquartered in the geographic regions/countries relevant to this NOFO. Applicants may form consortia and submit a combined application. However, one organization should be designated as the lead applicant with the other members as sub-award partners.
DRL reserves the right to request additional background information on applicants that do not have previous experience administering federal grant awards, and these applicants may be subject to limited funding on a pilot basis.
DRL is committed to an anti-discrimination policy in all of its projects and activities.
DRL welcomes applications irrespective of an applicant’s race, ethnicity, color, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or other status. DRL encourages applications from organizations working with the most at risk and vulnerable communities, including women, youth, persons with disabilities, members of ethnic or religious minority groups, and LGBTI persons.