Opportunity Information: Apply for FOA ILAB 23 21
The U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) is offering a single cooperative agreement to support a technical assistance project in Lesotho focused on building safer and more inclusive workplaces. The opportunity, titled Supporting Safe and Inclusive Work Environments in Lesotho (Funding Opportunity Number FOA-ILAB-23-21; CFDA 17.401), makes up to $3,000,000 available in total costs, contingent on the availability of federal funds. Only one award is expected, which means applicants are essentially competing to be the sole implementing partner for the full project.
At its core, the grant is designed to reinforce the Government of Lesotho's efforts to improve occupational safety and health (OSH) while also tackling discrimination and gender-based violence and harassment (GBVH) in the world of work. ILAB frames this as a workers' rights and labor standards initiative, emphasizing that progress requires more than isolated trainings or one-off awareness campaigns. Instead, the project is expected to strengthen the broader policy and operational environment that shapes how workplaces are regulated, how complaints are handled, and how protections are enforced in practice.
The project is explicitly multi-stakeholder in approach. That means the work is intended to bring together government bodies with other key actors such as workers' and employers' organizations and relevant local, national, and potentially regional partners. The aim is to improve coordination and shared responsibility so that protections related to OSH, non-discrimination, and prevention of GBVH are not treated as separate issues, but as connected parts of a functioning labor rights system.
ILAB identifies two main outcomes the awardee is expected to deliver. The first outcome focuses on government enforcement capacity: strengthening the ability of relevant government institutions to monitor and enforce compliance with international labor standards connected to OSH, anti-discrimination, and countering GBVH in the workplace. In practical terms, this outcome typically points toward efforts like improving inspection and compliance systems, enhancing institutional skills and procedures, and helping agencies better identify, document, and respond to workplace violations in a way that aligns with international standards.
The second outcome concentrates on collaboration and systems-building beyond enforcement alone. It calls for stronger government collaboration with stakeholders at the local, national, and regional levels to develop and implement policies, procedures, and services that promote OSH and counter discrimination and GBVH. This signals an expectation that the project will support not only drafting or revising policies, but also helping translate those policies into usable procedures, referral pathways, and services that workers can actually access. It also suggests the project should help establish or strengthen coordination mechanisms that keep institutions and partners working together after the project ends.
Administratively, this is a discretionary funding opportunity using a cooperative agreement instrument, which generally indicates substantial federal involvement during implementation compared to a standard grant. The opportunity was created on June 27, 2023, with an original closing date of September 8, 2023. Applications had to be submitted electronically by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others" with further clarification referenced in the full announcement, which usually means applicants must consult the official eligibility section for the exact list of allowable organization types and any restrictions.
Overall, this funding opportunity is aimed at producing measurable improvements in how Lesotho prevents and responds to workplace safety risks, discrimination, and GBVH by strengthening institutions, improving enforcement of labor standards, and building durable multi-stakeholder coordination for policies, procedures, and worker-support services.Apply for FOA ILAB 23 21
- 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 "Supporting Safe and Inclusive Work Environments in Lesotho" 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 Jun 27, 2023.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 08, 2023 Applications must be submitted electronically no later than 1159 pm 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 $3,000,000.00 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 name of this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is titled Supporting Safe and Inclusive Work Environments in Lesotho.
Which U.S. government office is offering this award?
The award is offered by the U.S. Department of Labor, specifically the Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB).
What type of funding instrument is being used?
This opportunity uses a cooperative agreement, which typically means there is substantial federal involvement during implementation compared to a standard grant.
How many awards will be made?
Only one award is expected. Applicants are competing to be the single implementing partner for the full project.
How much funding is available?
Up to $3,000,000 is available in total costs, contingent on the availability of federal funds.
Is the full $3,000,000 guaranteed?
No. The availability is described as up to $3,000,000 and is contingent on the availability of federal funds.
What is the funding opportunity number (FOA number)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is FOA-ILAB-23-21.
What is the CFDA number listed for this opportunity?
The opportunity lists CFDA 17.401.
Where will the project take place?
The project is focused on Lesotho.
What is the overall purpose of the project?
The project is intended to help build safer and more inclusive workplaces in Lesotho by strengthening occupational safety and health (OSH) efforts and addressing discrimination and gender-based violence and harassment (GBVH) in the world of work.
What issues does the project specifically target?
The project targets three connected areas: occupational safety and health (OSH), non-discrimination, and prevention and response to gender-based violence and harassment (GBVH) in the workplace.
How does ILAB describe the approach to improving workplace protections?
ILAB frames the effort as a workers' rights and labor standards initiative, emphasizing that progress should go beyond isolated trainings or one-off awareness campaigns and instead strengthen the broader policy and operational environment that shapes regulation, complaints handling, and enforcement.
Is this intended to be a multi-stakeholder project?
Yes. The project is explicitly multi-stakeholder, intended to bring together government bodies with other key actors such as workers' and employers' organizations and other relevant local, national, and potentially regional partners.
Why is the multi-stakeholder approach important in this project?
The intent is to improve coordination and shared responsibility so that OSH, non-discrimination, and GBVH prevention are addressed as connected parts of a functioning labor rights system, rather than treated as separate issues.
What are the main expected outcomes of the project?
ILAB identifies two main outcomes: (1) strengthened government enforcement capacity to monitor and enforce compliance with relevant international labor standards, and (2) stronger government collaboration with stakeholders to develop and implement policies, procedures, and services that promote OSH and counter discrimination and GBVH.
What does Outcome 1 focus on?
Outcome 1 focuses on strengthening government enforcement capacity, including the ability of relevant institutions to monitor and enforce compliance with international labor standards related to OSH, anti-discrimination, and countering GBVH in the workplace.
What kinds of activities are implied under Outcome 1?
The description points toward activities such as improving inspection and compliance systems, enhancing institutional skills and procedures, and helping agencies better identify, document, and respond to workplace violations in alignment with international standards.
What does Outcome 2 focus on?
Outcome 2 focuses on strengthening collaboration and systems-building so government institutions work effectively with stakeholders at local, national, and regional levels to develop and implement policies, procedures, and services that promote OSH and counter discrimination and GBVH.
What kinds of activities are implied under Outcome 2?
The description signals support for developing and implementing policies, translating policies into practical procedures, building referral pathways, improving access to services workers can use, and establishing or strengthening coordination mechanisms that can endure beyond the project period.
Is the project only about enforcement?
No. While enforcement capacity is a key outcome, the opportunity also emphasizes collaboration, policies, procedures, and worker-support services that help make protections real and accessible in practice.
Does the opportunity emphasize sustainability after the project ends?
Yes. The description suggests building or strengthening coordination mechanisms designed to keep institutions and partners working together after the project ends.
When was this funding opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on June 27, 2023.
What was the original closing date?
The original closing date was September 8, 2023.
How were applications required to be submitted?
Applications had to be submitted electronically.
What was the application deadline time zone and time?
Applications were due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others", with further clarification referenced in the full announcement. Applicants would need to consult the official eligibility section in the full FOA to confirm allowable organization types and any restrictions.
Does the provided summary list specific eligible organization types?
No. The summary indicates that eligibility details are referenced in the full announcement rather than spelled out here.
What is the central goal ILAB is trying to achieve through this award?
The goal is to produce measurable improvements in how Lesotho prevents and responds to workplace safety risks, discrimination, and GBVH by strengthening institutions, improving enforcement of labor standards, and building durable multi-stakeholder coordination for policies, procedures, and worker-support services.
Is this described as a discretionary funding opportunity?
Yes. It is described as a discretionary funding opportunity.
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