Hundreds of millions of children worldwide go to work most days rather than attend school to get an education.  Of these, some are exposed to the worst forms of child labor, including hazardous work, slavery and becoming child soldiers.  In Cambodia, child labor is often a common phenomenon. 

The Bureau of International Labor Affairs works with other governments and civil society actors around the world to eradicate child labor, forced labor and human trafficking.  Since 1995, ILAB has funded more than 250 projects and worked with more than 60 organizations to combat child labor in more than 90 countries.  These projects have provided direct services to children and their families and helped build national and local capacity to address child labor. 

This week, ILAB issued a solicitation for grant applications for a $10 million project to support efforts to reduce child labor in Cambodia.  Eligible applicants should address ways to combat child labor by:

• Increasing children’s access to quality education and vocational/skills training;
• Promoting sustainable livelihoods for affected households;
• Increasing beneficiaries’ access to national social protection programs that help households overcome dependence on child labor to meet basic needs;
• And increasing access to decent jobs for young people of legal working age.

Applications must be submitted by October 2 at 5 p.m. EDT electronically via http://www.grants.gov or as hard copies mailed to the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Procurement Services, 200 Constitution Ave. NW, Room S-4307, Washington, D.C. 20210, Attention: Brenda White and James Kinslow.

Potential applicants can get answers about this and other grant solicitations during the August 16 webcast at www.dol.gov/ilab.