Deadline: 2 December 2019
The Freedom Fund, Humanity United, and UBS Optimus Foundation are seeking proposals that can strengthen the investor case for addressing modern slavery and/or meaningfully expand modern slavery-focused data, tools, measurement and guidance that can be deployed across asset classes.
Proposed projects may consider, but are not limited to, the following areas:
- Strengthening the investor case for addressing modern slavery through evidence-based measurement of performance against modern slavery risk;
- Scaling data collection and measurement of company performance related to modern slavery for an investor audience;
- Assessing and providing structured guidance to existing ESG frameworks on strengthening modern slavery metrics;
- Analyzing and providing guidance for investors operating in private equity or alternative asset classes on integrating modern slavery considerations into due diligence, investment decisions, and portfolio management;
- Mapping and exploring opportunities for addressing modern slavery in listing requirements and reporting requirements in stock exchanges;
- Developing investment instruments, such as bonds, or identifying ways to incorporate modern slavery risks into existing instruments.
Funding Information
- Organizations may apply for funding up to $100,000. Funding shall only be used for costs associated with the proposed project.
- Grants will be used to support activities over a 12-month period.
Organisational Criteria
- Tax-exempt organizations, including academics, worker organizations, and trade unions with experience and knowledge of labor rights are encouraged to apply. They will consider joint applications — for example: a partnership between an investment association, asset manager, or advisor, and an academic researcher, worker organization or advocacy organization.
- Applicant organizations must be able to demonstrate:
- A working understanding of business and investment practices as they relate to modern slavery and/or labor rights;
- A track record in producing high-quality research on labor rights and/or developing ESG tools and frameworks; and
- The capacity to complete deliverables within a 12-month timeframe.
- Organizations seeking to submit proposals that are based on taking existing environmental or social tools — such as those related to climate change, gender-based violence, livelihoods, or migration — and extending them to the issue of modern slavery should note this clearly in their applications.
- As the aim of the initiative is to develop and pilot new approaches, priority will be given to projects that focus on new concepts or methods for engaging in research that can be completed in 12-months.
For more information, visit https://freedomfund.org/about/careers/