US Department of Labor announces $15 million grant competition to combat child labor through Global Action Program

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs today announced a $15 million competitive solicitation for a cooperative agreement to combat exploitative child labor internationally by implementing the Global Action Program. This initiative aims to advance and scale up ILAB's global efforts to reduce the prevalence of child labor and improve the livelihoods of vulnerable populations, including child domestic workers.

The GAP will assist target countries in improving legislation, enforcement and policy coordination on child labor and forced labor issues, as well as help build national capacities to implement policy initiatives that increase children's access to quality education and promote sustainable livelihoods for vulnerable populations. Projects also will support innovative research and monitoring systems to aid with policy development and program design, and encourage new efforts to protect children from exploitation in domestic work.

Applicants must have sufficient experience working with and providing technical assistance to foreign governments, nongovernmental and civil society organizations in the development of national policies and programs to address child labor and forced labor issues. Applicants also must have experience linking national development initiatives to social protection programs for disadvantaged and vulnerable populations.

Eligible applicants must respond to the entire scope of work outlined in this solicitation. Applications must be submitted by Aug. 31 at 5 p.m. EDT electronically via http://www.grants.gov or as hard copies to the U.S. Department of Labor, Procurement Services Center, 200 Constitution Ave. NW, Room S-4307, Washington, D.C. 20210, Attention: Brenda White and Jim Kinslow.

All cooperative agreement awards will be made by Sept. 30. The solicitation for grant applications is available online at http://www.dol.gov/ILAB/grants/ and http://www.grants.gov.