Opportunity Information: Apply for FOA ILAB 19 06

This grant opportunity, titled "Improved Adherence to International Labor Standards in the Agriculture Sector in Mexico" (FOA ILAB 19 06), was issued by the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB). It offered up to $8,000,000 in total funding, contingent on the availability of federal funds, to support a single cooperative agreement. The purpose of the award was to finance a technical assistance project in Mexico focused on strengthening adherence to international labor standards within the agriculture sector. The project timeline was set for a maximum of four years (48 months) from the award's effective date, reflecting an expectation of multi-year, sustained engagement rather than a short-term intervention.

The opportunity centered on improving both enforcement and compliance with labor laws and labor standards in agricultural work, with particular attention to high-risk issues such as child labor, forced labor, occupational safety and health (OSH), and broader acceptable conditions of work. The design makes clear that ILAB was seeking a project that works across multiple parts of the labor system, not only by supporting government enforcement capacity, but also by driving change among private sector actors and increasing workers' and community members' awareness of rights and remedies. Because the funding instrument was a cooperative agreement rather than a standard grant, the project would be expected to involve a closer working relationship with ILAB during implementation, typically with more frequent coordination and federal involvement in key aspects of the work plan.

The project was structured around three main outcomes. Outcome 1 focused on government capacity: increasing the ability of relevant officials to enforce labor laws in agriculture, specifically in areas tied to child labor, forced labor, OSH, and other acceptable conditions of work. In practical terms, this outcome implies activities such as training and technical support for labor inspectors or other enforcement personnel, improvements in inspection protocols, better case handling and referral pathways, and stronger coordination among government institutions that touch labor compliance in agricultural settings. The emphasis on agriculture-specific enforcement suggests the project was meant to address the unique challenges of labor oversight in rural and seasonal work environments, including dispersed worksites, labor intermediaries, and informal employment arrangements.

Outcome 2 targeted private sector compliance, aiming to increase adherence to labor laws by private stakeholders in agriculture. This includes farms, growers, processing facilities, labor contractors, and other businesses connected to agricultural production and supply chains. The intention was to push beyond awareness and into actual changes in practice: safer workplaces, lawful working conditions, and reduced tolerance for exploitative labor arrangements. Within Outcome 2, ILAB also highlighted Outcome 2.1, which zeroed in on increasing private sector use of available tools and resources for compliance, including those related to OSH and acceptable conditions of work. That sub-outcome points to a strategy of promoting practical, implementable compliance mechanisms, such as checklists, guidance materials, training modules, management systems, reporting channels, and other operational resources that businesses can adopt to meet legal requirements and reduce labor risks.

Outcome 3 focused on workers and communities by seeking increased knowledge about labor rights and about options for accessing remediation when violations occur. This outcome signals an approach that treats information and access to remedy as essential parts of effective labor standards compliance. It implies outreach and education efforts for workers, families, and community members in agricultural areas, along with clearer pathways to report violations and seek corrective action. The reference to "remediation" suggests an interest not only in identifying problems but also in connecting people to solutions, whether through complaint mechanisms, government services, civil society support, or other systems that can help address labor law violations.

A key feature of the solicitation was its geographic and methodological requirement. The project had to use an area-based approach in agricultural areas, specifically including sugarcane-growing areas, in the state of Nayarit and in one additional state selected from Jalisco, Michoacan, or Puebla. An area-based approach generally means concentrating efforts in defined geographic zones where specific crops, labor patterns, and risk factors are present, rather than spreading activities thinly across many regions. The inclusion of sugarcane areas indicates ILAB's concern about labor risks commonly associated with certain labor-intensive crops and seasonal workforces, and it signals that the project should be designed around real local labor dynamics, local institutions, and on-the-ground conditions in those targeted regions.

Administratively, the opportunity was listed under CFDA 17.401 and categorized as discretionary funding, with the award instrument specified as a cooperative agreement. Only one award was expected, which suggests ILAB was looking for a lead implementer capable of coordinating a comprehensive package of technical assistance across government, private sector, and worker/community-facing components. The funding opportunity was posted on August 8, 2019, with an original closing date of October 10, 2019, and applications required submission by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Eligible applicants were described broadly as "Others" with additional eligibility details referenced in the full announcement, indicating that the competition may have been open to a range of organizations such as non-profits, NGOs, educational institutions, and other qualified entities depending on the full eligibility language.

Overall, the grant sought a four-year, place-based labor standards improvement effort in Mexico's agricultural sector that combines stronger public enforcement capacity, stronger private compliance practices (including practical tool adoption), and stronger worker awareness and access to remedy, with a defined focus on Nayarit plus one other major agricultural state and explicit attention to sugarcane-growing areas.

  • The Department of Labor, Bureau of International Labor Affairs in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Improved Adherence to International Labor Standards in the Agriculture Sector in Mexico" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 17.401.
  • This funding opportunity was created on Aug 08, 2019.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by Oct 10, 2019 Applications must be received no later than 40000 p.m. Eastern Time.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
  • Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $8,000,000.00 in funding.
  • The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
  • Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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