Combating Forced Labor and Human Trafficking on Fishing Vessels in the Asia-Pacific Region | FOA ILAB 17 04

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is this funding opportunity?

This is a discretionary funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB), identified as FOA ILAB 17-04. It supports a major technical assistance effort to reduce forced labor and human trafficking on fishing vessels in the Asia-Pacific region.

2) What is the main purpose of the program?

The program is intended to address labor exploitation at sea by strengthening systems that prevent abuse, detect it when it occurs, and hold perpetrators accountable. It emphasizes improvements to enforcement and measurable reductions in indicators of forced labor on fishing vessels.

3) What type of award will be used to fund projects?

Funding will be provided through one or more cooperative agreements. A cooperative agreement typically means USDOL expects to be actively involved with the recipient during implementation, rather than acting only as a funder.

4) How much funding is available?

The opportunity makes available up to about $5,000,000 in total costs.

5) How many awards does ILAB expect to make?

The announcement indicates an anticipated total of one award.

6) Where must the project operate?

The project must operate in Indonesia plus one additional Asia-Pacific country selected by the applicant from the list provided in the announcement.

7) Which additional countries are eligible besides Indonesia?

Applicants must choose one additional country from: Burma, Cambodia, Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, or Vanuatu.

8) Is it allowed to propose work in more than two countries?

Based on the announcement summary provided, projects must operate in Indonesia plus one additional country from the specified list, which implies two total countries for implementation.

9) What are the two core outcomes the grant is trying to achieve?

The grant focuses on two outcomes: (1) improved enforcement to combat labor exploitation on fishing vessels, including forced labor and human trafficking; and (2) a measurable decrease in the presence of indicators of forced labor on fishing vessels.

10) What kinds of activities fit under "improved enforcement"?

The opportunity points to activities such as building the capacity of labor and maritime enforcement bodies, improving inspection or monitoring approaches, strengthening interagency coordination, improving evidence collection and case handling, and supporting policies or operational procedures that make enforcement more effective.

11) What does "measurable decrease in indicators of forced labor" mean in practice?

It implies the project should generate observable improvements aboard vessels and in risk factors tied to trafficking and forced labor, not only system changes on paper. Examples mentioned include reduced coercion, better protection of workers' rights, and fewer warning signs associated with trafficking and forced labor.

12) Can the grant pay for direct services to individuals (such as shelter or cash assistance)?

No. A major restriction is that the award cannot be used to fund direct services to individuals, including shelter, cash assistance, or direct case management funded by the project.

13) If direct services are not allowed, what victim-protection work is allowed?

Applicants must propose strategies that strengthen how victims and at-risk workers connect to services. Allowable approaches described include raising awareness of existing services, creating or improving referral pathways, formalizing linkages with other direct service providers, and supporting development of systems where those mechanisms are weak or missing.

14) What is meant by strengthening the "ecosystem" rather than paying for remediation?

The project is meant to improve the systems and mechanisms that enable protection and remediation (for example, referral pathways and linkages to providers), rather than funding the remediation itself (for example, paying for shelter or case management).

15) What is the required budget split between the two countries?

At least 80 percent of total direct costs must be split evenly between the two countries, to ensure the work is meaningfully implemented in both places and not concentrated in only one.

16) Can any part of the budget be allocated unevenly?

Yes. Up to 20 percent of direct costs may be allocated differently if the applicant provides a clear justification. Examples cited include regional coordination, shared tools, cross-country learning, or other needs that do not divide neatly in half.

17) Does the 80/20 rule apply to total costs or direct costs?

The budgeting rule described applies to total direct costs (not total costs overall).

18) What is the maximum project period?

The maximum project period is four years (48 months) from the award's effective date.

19) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants are listed broadly as "Others," with further clarification referenced in the full eligibility section of the announcement. The summary provided does not include the detailed eligibility language.

20) What is the program or activity category for this opportunity?

The opportunity falls under the Employment, Labor and Training activity category, with CFDA 17.401.

21) When was the opportunity posted and when were applications due?

The original posting date was August 25, 2017. Applications were originally due October 2, 2017, by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

22) What does it mean that ILAB expects to be actively involved in implementation?

Because funding is provided through a cooperative agreement, USDOL involvement is expected during implementation. This is different from a situation where the agency only provides funding and has minimal day-to-day engagement.