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The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) announces an open competition for organizations interested in advancing freedom of association and improving working conditions in the palm oil sector in Indonesia.

DRL requests targeted proposals for a $800,000 project in Indonesia to strengthen freedom of association, so that workers can exercise their right to form unions and collectively bargain. Additionally, the proposal should include efforts to improve working conditions in the palm oil sector, including for informal, contract, and women workers, in line with internationally recognized labor standards. Applicants must include activities that contribute to achieving the following objectives: 

• Women and informal workers increase their participation and leadership in Indonesian palm oil worker organizations and trade unions and represent their interests in social dialogue and negotiation of collective bargaining agreements; and 

• Labor inspections in Indonesia are conducted in line with national laws and international labor standards that enforce worker protections.

All programs should aim to have impact that leads to reforms and have the potential for sustainability beyond DRL resources. DRL’s preference is to avoid duplicating past efforts by supporting new and creative approaches. This does not exclude from consideration projects that improve upon or expand existing successful projects in a new and complementary way.

DRL is committed to advancing equity and support for underserved and underrepresented communities. In accordance with the Executive Order on Advancing Racial Equity and Underserved Communities, programs should implement strategies for integration and inclusion of individuals/organizations/beneficiaries that can bring perspectives based on their religion, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, sex characteristics, national origin, age, genetic information, marital status, parental status, pregnancy, political affiliation, or veteran’s status. Programs should be demand-driven and locally led to the extent possible.

DRL requires all programs to be non-discriminatory and expects implementers to include strategies for non-discrimination of individuals/organizations/beneficiaries based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, pregnancy, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, marital status, parental status, political affiliation, or veteran’s status.

Funding Information

• Total Funding Ceiling: $800,000 

• Total Funding Floor: $800,000 

• Anticipated Number of Awards: 1 

• Period of Performance: 12-36 months 

• Anticipated Time to Award, Pending Availability of Funds: 4-6 months

Where appropriate, competitive proposals may include: 

• Opportunities for beneficiaries to apply their new knowledge and skills in practical efforts;

• Solicitation of feedback and suggestions from beneficiaries when developing activities in order to strengthen the sustainability of programs and participant ownership of project outcomes;

• Input from participants on sustainability plans and systematic review of the plans throughout the life of the project, with adjustments made as necessary;

• Joint identification and definition of key concepts with relevant stakeholders and stakeholder input into project activities; 

• Systematic follow-up with beneficiaries at specific intervals after the completion of activities to track how beneficiaries are retaining new knowledge as well as applying their new skills.

Competitive projects must also: 

• Demonstrate substantial understanding of the issues, context, local sensitivities, and stakeholders involved in supply chain and environmental issues in Indonesia, 

• Display knowledge of any existing programs that target or intersect with the issue of palm oil work rights in Indonesia, 

• Explain how the proposed project will learn from and build upon existing efforts to support workers in the palm oil sector in Indonesia,

• Demonstrate sufficient staffing and how the proposed project will be distinct from, and complementary to, any concurrent programming,

• Include partnerships with, and/or sub-grants to, local civil society organizations and clearly define roles and responsibilities, as well as include letters of commitments from proposed groups,

• Describe any existing relationships or networks that will be drawn upon to facilitate the proposed work,

• Indicate willingness to coordinate with other DRL implementing partners,

• Submit an Environmental Impact Assessment that not only details project activities’ impact on the environment but highlights the overall environmental impact of the palm oil sector and how this project is designed to minimize further negative effects, and

• Not include direct assistance to governments.

Outcomes

• Proposed projects should also include activities that make incremental changes contributing to all of the following outcomes: 

  • Palm oil workers, specifically women and informal workers, along with worker organizations and trade unions in Indonesia apply strengthened knowledge of workers’ rights and negotiation and advocacy skills to promote fulfillment of nationally and internationally recognized labor standards in the sector.

  • Employers engage in social dialogue with palm oil workers and their representatives, with a focus on women and informal workers, and negotiate contracts for improved conditions.

  • Government officials ensure compliance of domestic law, productively engage in social dialogue with palm oil worker representatives and take action toward developing and/or enhancing regulations, laws, and/or policies aligned with international labor standards in the sector and ensuring they are enforced.

Eligibility

• DRL welcomes applications from U.S.-based and foreign-based non-profit organizations/nongovernmental organizations (NGO) and public international organizations; private, public, or state institutions of higher education; and for-profit organizations or businesses. DRL’s preference is to work with non-profit entities; however, there may be some occasions when a for-profit entity is best suited.

• Applications submitted by for-profit entities may be subject to additional review following the panel selection process. Additionally, the Department of State prohibits profit to for-profit or commercial organizations under its assistance awards. Profit is defined as any amount in excess of allowable direct and indirect costs. The allowability of costs incurred by commercial organizations is determined in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) at 48 CFR 30, Cost Accounting Standards Administration, and 48 CFR 31 Contract Cost Principles and Procedures.

Post Date: May 24, 2024