Description
The Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB), U.S. Department of Labor (DOL, or the Department, or we), announces the availability of approximately $5,000,000 total costs for one or more cooperative agreements to fund a technical assistance project(s) to convene stakeholders to develop and implement strategies to reduce child labor and improve working conditions in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM). The project will support objectives at both country-specific and global levels. At the country-specific level, it will work in Ghana and the Philippines (the two designated pilot countries) to convene a wide range of stakeholders to: (1) strengthen and enforce laws and develop and implement policies and action plans to address child labor and working conditions in ASGM; (2) increase access of vulnerable households living in ASGM communities to social protection services and programs to improve their livelihoods; and (3) develop and implement mechanisms to increase transparency and monitor child labor and working conditions in gold mining supply chains, with a particular focus on ASGM. At the global level, the project will develop networks and promote the sharing of good practices among stakeholders in countries, including but not limited to the two pilot countries, where ASGM is significant to reduce child labor and improve working conditions. In addition, the project will support new approaches to address child labor and working conditions in ASGM through provision of funds to pilot innovative initiatives. Stakeholders could include national and local governments, mining companies, smelters, traders, refiners, retailers, international organizations, trade unions, NGOs/civil society groups, mining consultants, media, academia, think tanks, and those living in mining communities, including miners, parents, and children. The duration of the project will be a maximum of 4 years (48 months) from the date of the award.