US Department of Labor announces $10 million competitive solicitation for cooperative agreements to combat child labor in Cambodia

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs today announced a $10 million competitive solicitation for cooperative agreements to combat child labor in Cambodia's agriculture, fishing and fisheries/aquaculture, and domestic service sectors.

Projects funded under the solicitation will focus on reducing social exclusion and promoting economic opportunities for Cambodian households with children who are vulnerable to child labor. Eligible applicants should address ways to combat child labor by increasing children's access to quality education and vocational/skills training; promoting sustainable livelihoods for affected households; increasing beneficiaries' access to national social protection programs that help households overcome dependence on child labor to meet basic needs; and increasing access to decent jobs for young people of legal working age.

Applicants must respond to the entire scope of work outlined in the solicitation and demonstrate a proven ability to manage complex projects designed to improve the lives of children.

Applications must be submitted by Oct. 2 at 5 p.m. EDT electronically via http://www.grants.gov or as hard copies mailed to the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Procurement Services, 200 Constitution Ave. NW, Room S-4307, Washington, D.C. 20210, Attention: Brenda White and James Kinslow.

The solicitation for grant applications is available online at http://www.dol.gov/ILAB/grants/main.htm and http://www.grants.gov. All cooperative agreement awards will be made by Dec. 31.

Congress has appropriated funds for ILAB to conduct technical cooperation projects to combat child labor internationally. Projects funded by ILAB include targeted action programs in specific sectors of work and comprehensive programs that support national efforts to eliminate the worst forms of child labor as defined by International Labor Organization Convention 182. ILAB grants help rescue children from exploitative labor through the provision of education and other services. ILAB supports the collection of reliable data on child labor and helps strengthen the capacity of governments to address child labor in a sustainable way.