Opportunity Information: Apply for SFOP0007615
The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) announced a discretionary grant competition titled "DRL Programs for Protection of Migrant Domestic Workers in Lebanon" (Funding Opportunity Number SFOP0007615). The opportunity focuses on improving protections for migrant domestic workers in Lebanon who are currently governed by the kafala system, a sponsorship-based migration and employment framework widely criticized for enabling serious abuse. DRL frames the kafala system as inherently exploitative because it ties a worker's legal status to an employer or sponsor, which can severely limit freedom of movement, restrict the ability to change jobs, and make it difficult to report abuse or seek remedies without risking detention, deportation, or retaliation.
The program is designed in response to the scale and vulnerability of this population: Lebanon hosts more than 250,000 migrant domestic workers, the majority of whom are women. According to the opportunity description, these workers face elevated risks of exploitation, forced labor, and human trafficking, often with minimal practical avenues for legal recourse. DRL is seeking a project that not only addresses immediate protection needs but also advances longer-term rights and safeguards that align with international standards, with an explicit emphasis on moving away from reliance on the kafala sponsorship model.
Funding is structured as a single grant award, with an anticipated total project budget up to $900,000 and an expectation of one award. The opportunity falls under CFDA (Assistance Listing) 19.345 and is categorized under "Other" for the funding activity area, reflecting the specialized human rights and labor protection focus described in the solicitation. While the eligibility field is listed as "Others," it points applicants to additional eligibility clarification in the full announcement materials, indicating that DRL may allow a range of organization types depending on the specifics laid out in the official notice.
Substantively, DRL highlights education and awareness as core elements of the proposed work. The solicitation calls for programming that educates both employers and domestic workers on international labor standards and commitments, as well as on relevant Lebanese laws related to workers' rights. A notable requirement is that the program include information on penalties under the Lebanese penal code for violations of these rights, suggesting an approach that combines rights-based training with clear messaging about legal accountability. The overall goal is to increase understanding of legal protections and responsibilities while supporting conditions in which migrant domestic workers can access rights and protections consistent with international norms and, ultimately, no longer be subject to the kafala system.
Key administrative details in the source information include a creation date of March 5, 2021, and an original application closing date of May 10, 2021. The sponsoring agency is the Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, which commonly funds civil society and rights-protection initiatives that strengthen accountability, expand access to justice, and improve protection for at-risk communities.Apply for SFOP0007615
- 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 Programs for Protection of Migrant Domestic Workers in Lebanon" 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 Mar 05, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 10, 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 $900,000.00 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 Programs for Protection of Migrant Domestic Workers in Lebanon."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is SFOP0007615.
Which U.S. government office is sponsoring this competition?
The sponsoring agency is the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL).
What issue is this program trying to address?
The program focuses on improving protections for migrant domestic workers in Lebanon who are governed by the kafala system, a sponsorship-based migration and employment framework described in the announcement as enabling serious abuse.
What is the kafala system in the context of this opportunity?
As described in the opportunity, the kafala system is a sponsorship-based migration and employment framework that ties a worker's legal status to an employer or sponsor. The announcement characterizes this arrangement as inherently exploitative because it can limit freedom of movement, restrict the ability to change jobs, and make it difficult to report abuse or seek remedies without risking detention, deportation, or retaliation.
Where will the project take place?
The project focus is Lebanon, specifically protections for migrant domestic workers in Lebanon.
Who is the target population?
The target population is migrant domestic workers in Lebanon. The announcement notes that Lebanon hosts more than 250,000 migrant domestic workers and that the majority are women.
What types of harms or risks does DRL highlight for migrant domestic workers?
According to the opportunity description, migrant domestic workers face elevated risks of exploitation, forced labor, and human trafficking, often with minimal practical avenues for legal recourse.
What is the overall goal of the program?
The program aims to address immediate protection needs while also advancing longer-term rights and safeguards aligned with international standards, with an explicit emphasis on moving away from reliance on the kafala sponsorship model.
Does the solicitation emphasize short-term protection, long-term reform, or both?
Both. DRL is seeking a project that addresses immediate protection needs and advances longer-term rights and safeguards consistent with international standards, including the stated emphasis on moving away from the kafala model.
What kinds of activities are specifically highlighted in the solicitation?
Education and awareness are core elements. The solicitation calls for programming that educates both employers and domestic workers on international labor standards and commitments, as well as relevant Lebanese laws related to workers' rights.
Who should be educated under the proposed programming?
The announcement specifically mentions educating both employers and domestic workers.
What legal frameworks should the education and awareness work cover?
Based on the solicitation summary provided, the program should cover international labor standards and commitments, relevant Lebanese laws related to workers' rights, and penalties under the Lebanese penal code for violations of these rights.
Is there a requirement to discuss penalties or accountability under Lebanese law?
Yes. A notable requirement mentioned is that the program include information on penalties under the Lebanese penal code for violations of workers' rights.
How does DRL describe the approach of combining training with legal accountability?
The summary indicates an approach that combines rights-based training with clear messaging about legal accountability, with the goal of increasing understanding of legal protections and responsibilities.
What is the anticipated funding amount?
The anticipated total project budget is up to $900,000.
How many awards does DRL expect to make?
The opportunity indicates an expectation of one award.
Is this funding structured as multiple awards or a single grant?
Funding is structured as a single grant award.
What is the Assistance Listing / CFDA number for this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA (Assistance Listing) 19.345.
What is the funding activity area/category?
The funding activity area is categorized as "Other," reflecting the specialized human rights and labor protection focus described in the solicitation.
Who is eligible to apply?
The eligibility field is listed as "Others," and applicants are directed to additional eligibility clarification in the full announcement materials. This indicates DRL may allow a range of organization types depending on what is specified in the official notice.
Where should applicants look for the definitive eligibility rules?
The summary indicates that eligibility clarification is contained in the full announcement materials, which should be treated as the authoritative source for eligibility requirements.
When was this funding opportunity created?
The creation date listed is March 5, 2021.
What was the original application closing date?
The original application closing date was May 10, 2021.
What does DRL typically fund, based on the description provided?
The summary notes that DRL commonly funds civil society and rights-protection initiatives that strengthen accountability, expand access to justice, and improve protection for at-risk communities.
What does the announcement say about the intended direction regarding kafala?
It explicitly emphasizes moving away from reliance on the kafala sponsorship model and supporting conditions in which migrant domestic workers can access rights and protections consistent with international norms.
Does the opportunity description mention why reporting abuse can be difficult under kafala?
Yes. It states that tying a worker's legal status to an employer or sponsor can make it difficult to report abuse or seek remedies without risking detention, deportation, or retaliation.
Does the program focus only on domestic workers, or also on employers?
While the population of concern is migrant domestic workers, the programming described includes education and awareness for both employers and domestic workers.
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