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.Apply for FOA ILAB 19 06
- 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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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the title and reference number of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Improved Adherence to International Labor Standards in the Agriculture Sector in Mexico" and is identified as FOA ILAB 19 06.
Which U.S. government office issued this funding opportunity?
It was issued by the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB).
What type of award is being funded (grant or cooperative agreement)?
The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, which typically involves closer coordination and federal involvement from ILAB during project implementation compared to a standard grant.
How much funding was available?
Up to $8,000,000 in total funding was available, contingent on the availability of federal funds.
How many awards were expected to be made?
Only one award was expected under this opportunity.
What is the overall purpose of the project?
The purpose was to finance a technical assistance project in Mexico focused on strengthening adherence to international labor standards in the agriculture sector.
How long could the project last?
The project timeline was set for a maximum of four years (48 months) from the award's effective date, indicating an expectation of sustained, multi-year engagement.
What key labor issues were emphasized in the solicitation?
The solicitation emphasized improving enforcement and compliance related to high-risk issues in agricultural work, including child labor, forced labor, occupational safety and health (OSH), and broader acceptable conditions of work.
What does the opportunity mean by improving both "enforcement" and "compliance"?
It indicates a project design that strengthens government capacity to enforce labor laws (enforcement) while also driving changes in private sector practices and increasing awareness among workers and communities (compliance and rights awareness).
What were the three main outcomes the project was expected to achieve?
The project was structured around three outcomes: (1) increased government capacity to enforce labor laws in agriculture, (2) increased private sector compliance with labor laws in agriculture, and (3) increased worker and community knowledge of labor rights and options to access remediation when violations occur.
What is Outcome 1 focused on?
Outcome 1 focused on increasing the ability of relevant government officials to enforce labor laws in agriculture, specifically tied to child labor, forced labor, OSH, and acceptable conditions of work.
What kinds of activities were implied under Outcome 1?
Outcome 1 implied activities such as training and technical support for labor inspectors or other enforcement personnel, improving inspection protocols, strengthening case handling and referral pathways, and improving coordination among government institutions involved in labor compliance in agricultural settings.
Why does the opportunity emphasize agriculture-specific enforcement challenges?
The focus suggests the project was meant to address oversight challenges common in rural and seasonal agricultural work, such as dispersed worksites, labor intermediaries, and informal employment arrangements.
What is Outcome 2 focused on?
Outcome 2 aimed to increase adherence to labor laws by private stakeholders in agriculture, including farms, growers, processing facilities, labor contractors, and other businesses connected to agricultural production and supply chains.
Does Outcome 2 focus only on awareness, or on changes in practice?
It aimed to go beyond awareness and into actual changes in practice, such as safer workplaces, lawful working conditions, and reduced tolerance for exploitative labor arrangements.
What is Outcome 2.1?
Outcome 2.1 specifically highlighted increasing private sector use of available tools and resources for compliance, including tools related to OSH and acceptable conditions of work.
What kinds of compliance tools and resources did Outcome 2.1 point to?
It pointed to practical, implementable compliance mechanisms that businesses can adopt, such as checklists, guidance materials, training modules, management systems, reporting channels, and other operational resources that help meet legal requirements and reduce labor risks.
What is Outcome 3 focused on?
Outcome 3 focused on increasing knowledge among workers and communities about labor rights and about options for accessing remediation when violations occur.
What does "remediation" refer to in this opportunity?
Based on the description, remediation refers to pathways for addressing labor violations after they occur, such as reporting mechanisms and connections to corrective action through government services, civil society support, or other systems.
What geographic areas had to be included in the project?
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.
What is meant by an "area-based approach" in this solicitation?
An area-based approach generally means concentrating activities in defined geographic zones where specific crops, labor patterns, and risk factors are present, rather than spreading efforts across many regions.
Why did the solicitation specifically mention sugarcane-growing areas?
The inclusion of sugarcane areas signaled attention to labor risks often associated with labor-intensive crops and seasonal workforces, and suggested the project should be designed around local labor dynamics and on-the-ground conditions in those regions.
What was the CFDA number and funding category for this opportunity?
The opportunity was listed under CFDA 17.401 and categorized as discretionary funding.
When was the funding opportunity posted?
It was posted on August 8, 2019.
What was the application deadline?
The original closing date was October 10, 2019, and applications were required to be submitted by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants were described broadly as "Others," with additional eligibility details referenced in the full announcement. This suggests eligibility may have included a range of qualified organizations (such as non-profits, NGOs, educational institutions, and other entities) depending on the full eligibility language.
What does it mean that the project is a "technical assistance" project?
In this opportunity, the award was intended to support technical assistance aimed at strengthening systems and practices related to labor standards in agriculture, including government enforcement capacity, private sector compliance practices, and worker/community awareness and access to remedies.
Was the project intended to work only with government institutions?
No. The design emphasized working across multiple parts of the labor system, including government enforcement capacity, private sector actors, and workers and community members.
What does the single-award structure suggest about the expected implementer?
Because only one award was expected, it suggests ILAB sought a lead implementer capable of coordinating a comprehensive package of technical assistance across government, private sector, and worker/community-facing components in the targeted regions.
Where would the project take place?
The project was focused on Mexico's agriculture sector, with required geographic focus in Nayarit plus one additional state selected from Jalisco, Michoacan, or Puebla, and with required inclusion of sugarcane-growing areas.
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