Deadline: 8 June 2020
The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) announces an open competition for organizations interested in submitting applications for projects in Mexico to support realization of the labor rights commitments included in the United 2026 Human Rights Strategy for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
DRL requests proposals for a $625,000 project to support civil society in Mexico to ensure Mexico’s commitment to respect internationally recognized worker rights, as included in the United 2026 Human Rights Strategy, is upheld and creates lasting change for workers’ rights in the country. Projects should support the involvement of labor rights stakeholders, including independent trade unions, workers’ associations, labor rights defenders and organizations, and individual organizers and activists, throughout all processes to assist with meeting the aims of the strategy’s proposed actions to embed, identify, prevent, mitigate, and account for the labor rights impacts of the United 2026 games. Project should also aim to build the capacity of independent labor unions. Programs should imbed or advocate for worker, independent union, and civil society involvement in developing and implementing the strategy’s proposed plan for ensuring that internationally recognized worker rights, including freedom of association, are respected throughout development and implementation of the United 2026 games. This should include worker, independent union, and civil society input into and assessment of host city strategies for respecting labor rights risks identified in the strategy.
Activities may include, but are not limited to: educating workers about their rights, including those related to subcontracting, and how to protect them under Mexican labor law and international labor standards; building the capacity of independent labor unions, including those that engage with outsourcing companies and subcontracted workers; developing a civil society labor advisory network in Mexico; educating civil society actors, workers, and unions about the United 2026 human rights strategy and business and human rights principles, with a focus on internationally recognized worker rights, and taking into account the comprehensive Federal Labor Law reform enacted in Mexico in 2019; empowering civil society actors to engage more effectively with businesses, government, and other stakeholders regarding the labor rights commitments of the strategy; advocating for worker, independent union, and civil society involvement in defining and strengthening grievance mechanisms and responses to violations of labor rights related to the development and operation of the games, including through linkages to existing federal and local government labor complaints mechanisms; and strengthening the role of workers, independent unions, and civil society in monitoring, reporting, and combatting labor and human rights abuses, including abusive subcontracting, related to the games.
Where appropriate, competitive proposals may include:
- Opportunities for beneficiaries to apply their new knowledge and skills in practical efforts;
- Solicitation of feedback and suggestions from beneficiaries when developing activities in order to strengthen the sustainability of programs and participant ownership of project outcomes;
- Input from participants on sustainability plans and systematic review of the plans throughout the life of the project, with adjustments made as necessary;
- Inclusion of vulnerable populations;
- Joint identification and definition of key concepts with relevant stakeholders and stakeholder input into project activities;
- Systematic follow up with beneficiaries at specific intervals after the completion of activities to track how beneficiaries are retaining new knowledge as well as applying their new skills.
Activities that are not typically allowed include, but are not limited to:
- The provision of humanitarian assistance;
- English language instruction;
- Development of high-tech computer or communications software and/or hardware;
- Purely academic exchanges or fellowships;
- External exchanges or fellowships lasting longer than six months;
- Off-shore activities that are not clearly linked to in-country initiatives and impact or are not necessary per security concerns;
- Theoretical explorations of human rights or democracy issues, including projects aimed primarily at research and evaluation that do not incorporate training or capacity-building for local civil society;
- Micro-loans or similar small business development initiatives;
- Initiatives directed towards a diaspora community rather than current residents of targetded countries.
Funding Information
- Funding Floor: $625,000
- Funding Ceiling: $625,000
- Anticipated Number of Awards: 1
- Period of Performance: 24-30 months
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.
- Applications submitted by for-profit entities may be subject to additional review following the panel selection process. Additionally, the Department of State prohibits profit to for-profit or commercial organizations under its assistance awards. Profit is defined as any amount in excess of allowable direct and indirect costs.
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=326496