december 7, 2023

FORGE announces the launch of the Democracy at Work Fund

FORGE, in collaboration with Fundación Avina, are proud to announce the launch of the new Democracy at Work Fund, designed to support workers’ organizations leading efforts at the intersection of labor rights, democracy, and a just transition. This is the first multi-donor pooled fund dedicated to supporting workers’ organizations in the Global South.

Grants ranging from US $10,000 to $100,000 will be made to organizations in 11 countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America for work aimed at building resilience and strengthening the capacity of worker organizations. The Fund will support efforts to bolster physical and digital security, to respond to legal threats, and to build power for workers’ organizations to defend core enabling rights to organize, associate and bargain collectively. The Fund prioritizes efforts led directly by workers in the informal economy, by women and migrant-led organizations, as well as efforts at the intersection of workers’ rights, gender justice, racial justice, and climate justice.

We welcome additional funders to join this effort to scale collective impact at the intersections of labor rights, democracy and just transition. The co-funders involved, which include the Ford Foundation, Open Society Foundations, Laudes Foundation, FORGE Funders, and Avina Foundation, belong to a collective that learns together, shapes shared goals, and helps to ensure we deliver the intended impact. Some have worked on labor rights issues for years, while others are newer. We welcome everyone to join the journey as we grow in 2024.