Opportunity Information: Apply for SFOP0007518
The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) offered a discretionary grant opportunity titled "DRL Promoting and Advancing International Labor Rights in Bangladesh" (Funding Opportunity Number SFOP0007518). The program was designed to respond to widespread labor and human rights problems affecting workers across multiple industries in Bangladesh, with a specific emphasis on sectors outside the garment industry. DRL highlighted persistent issues such as abusive and unsafe working conditions, low wages, forced overtime, and the denial of basic protections tied to fundamental rights, including freedom of association. The opportunity also underscored that women workers are particularly vulnerable to these abuses.
A central challenge described in the solicitation is that many workers are reluctant to form or join independent unions because of intimidation, threats, and administrative or bureaucratic barriers. Even when workers can connect with trade union federations or labor-focused NGOs, the pathways for resolving disputes or seeking remedies are often limited and can be blocked by powerful interests. The announcement also noted how the COVID-19 pandemic worsened existing vulnerabilities by increasing economic insecurity and physical risk, contributing in some sectors to mass layoffs and nonpayment of wages.
DRL made clear that it was looking for proposals that do more than broadly promote freedom of association. Applicants were expected to show how their approach would lead to meaningful, timely responses to worker grievances and rights violations, not just awareness-raising or general advocacy. In other words, the program emphasis was on practical problem-solving and measurable improvements in workers' ability to seek remedies and defend their rights.
The grant had two main objectives. First, it aimed to strengthen the internal capacity of civil society organizations (CSOs) and worker organizations to identify and address collective labor rights violations, while also improving how democratically and equitably these groups represent workers. Second, it sought to improve the ability of these organizations to defend worker rights and interests by using existing mechanisms where available, such as worker welfare committees, safety committees, or sexual harassment committees, and by advocating for needed changes with relevant stakeholders, including employers. This reflects a dual strategy: building stronger worker-representative institutions from within while also improving how those institutions engage externally with companies and other decision-makers.
In terms of basic funding details, the opportunity was administered by the Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, under CFDA number 19.345. The instrument type was a grant, with an award ceiling of $750,000 and an expectation of one award. The notice was created on December 30, 2020, with an original closing date of March 2, 2021. Eligibility was listed broadly as "Others," with additional eligibility details referenced in the full solicitation.Apply for SFOP0007518
- The Department of State, Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "DRL Promoting and Advancing International Labor Rights in Bangladesh" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.345.
- This funding opportunity was created on Dec 30, 2020.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 02, 2021. (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 $750,000.00 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 name of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "DRL Promoting and Advancing International Labor Rights in Bangladesh".
Which U.S. government office offered this opportunity?
It was offered by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL).
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is SFOP0007518.
What is the CFDA number for this program?
The CFDA number listed for this program is 19.345.
What type of award instrument is this?
The instrument type is a grant.
What country does the program focus on?
The program focus is Bangladesh.
What labor and human rights issues is the program intended to address?
DRL described widespread problems affecting workers across multiple industries, including abusive and unsafe working conditions, low wages, forced overtime, and the denial of basic protections tied to fundamental rights, including freedom of association.
Is the program focused on the garment industry?
The solicitation emphasized sectors outside the garment industry, while noting labor and human rights problems across multiple industries.
Why did DRL highlight freedom of association in this opportunity?
DRL noted that basic protections connected to fundamental rights, including freedom of association, are often denied. The solicitation also described how intimidation, threats, and administrative or bureaucratic barriers can deter workers from forming or joining independent unions.
Which workers were described as particularly vulnerable?
The announcement underscored that women workers are particularly vulnerable to labor and human rights abuses.
What barriers prevent workers from forming or joining independent unions?
The solicitation identified intimidation, threats, and administrative or bureaucratic barriers as key reasons many workers are reluctant to form or join independent unions.
What challenges exist even when workers connect with unions or labor NGOs?
DRL noted that even when workers can connect with trade union federations or labor-focused NGOs, pathways for resolving disputes or seeking remedies are often limited and can be blocked by powerful interests.
How did the COVID-19 pandemic factor into the problem statement?
The announcement stated that COVID-19 worsened existing vulnerabilities by increasing economic insecurity and physical risk, and that in some sectors it contributed to mass layoffs and nonpayment of wages.
What kind of proposals was DRL looking for?
DRL indicated it wanted proposals that go beyond broadly promoting freedom of association. Applicants were expected to show how their approach would lead to meaningful, timely responses to worker grievances and rights violations, rather than primarily awareness-raising or general advocacy.
What does DRL mean by emphasizing practical problem-solving?
Based on the solicitation, the emphasis was on approaches that produce measurable improvements in workers' ability to seek remedies and defend their rights, including through the use of available mechanisms and engagement with stakeholders.
What were the main objectives of the program?
The program had two main objectives: (1) to strengthen the internal capacity of civil society organizations (CSOs) and worker organizations to identify and address collective labor rights violations, while improving how democratically and equitably these groups represent workers; and (2) to improve the ability of these organizations to defend worker rights and interests by using existing mechanisms where available and advocating for needed changes with relevant stakeholders, including employers.
What types of organizations were expected to benefit from capacity strengthening?
The solicitation referenced civil society organizations (CSOs) and worker organizations as the primary groups whose internal capacity and representative practices were targeted for strengthening.
What internal improvements did the opportunity seek within CSOs and worker organizations?
DRL aimed to improve these organizations' ability to identify and address collective labor rights violations, and to strengthen how they represent workers democratically and equitably.
What external engagement did the opportunity seek?
The second objective focused on improving how CSOs and worker organizations defend worker rights and interests by using available mechanisms and advocating for needed changes with stakeholders, including employers.
What existing mechanisms were specifically mentioned as examples?
The solicitation provided examples of mechanisms such as worker welfare committees, safety committees, and sexual harassment committees, where available.
Does the solicitation indicate how many awards DRL expected to make?
Yes. The opportunity described an expectation of one award.
What was the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling was listed as $750,000.
When was the notice created?
The notice was created on December 30, 2020.
What was the original application closing date?
The original closing date was March 2, 2021.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility was listed broadly as "Others", with additional eligibility details referenced in the full solicitation.
Where can applicants find the additional eligibility details?
The summary indicated that additional eligibility details were provided in the full solicitation.
What makes this opportunity different from general labor rights awareness campaigns?
DRL explicitly emphasized that proposals should demonstrate how they would lead to meaningful, timely responses to grievances and rights violations, with measurable improvements in access to remedies and rights defense, rather than focusing mainly on broad awareness-raising or general advocacy.
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