Labora supports the mobilization of workers affected by unfair working conditions. This support is provided through various methodologies: grantmaking, training and networking opportunities, and strengthening a diverse yet cohesive field of grassroots mobilization and advocacy for decent work.
The intersectionality of race, gender, territory, and other indicators of inequality is the guiding principle behind Labora’s support. In this regard, grassroots organizations, trade unions, groups, collectives, and movements contribute to this debate by representing various segments of the Brazilian population most affected by informality and lack of access to labor rights.
Some of the categories and populations we support include:
-App-based workers
-Domestic workers
-Waste pickers
-Rural workers
-Extractive workers
-Street vendors
-Sex workers
-Immigrants and refugees
-LGBTQIAPN+ workers
-Fashion industry workers
-Indigenous, Quilombola, and other local community workers
Impact
Labora was launched in December 2022 and published its first call for proposals, titled Strengthening Informal Workers’ Fight for Rights. This call selected 25 projects.
In December 2023, the second call selected 40 more projects across two focus areas: strengthening grassroots workers’ organizations and advocacy for policies and labor rights standards.
The third call, in July 2024, focused on supporting the fight of workers from the fields, waters, and forests. Another 15 projects were selected.
Thus, Labora has supported 81 projects through its calls for proposals, with a total of R$5,206,920.41.
Labora also provides direct grants to 8 organizations, totaling R$16,195,421.43.
Additionally, it has issued 7 invitation letters with a total value of R$4,300,160.00. It has also allocated R$569,178.82 to support 40 mobilization, advocacy, and networking activities for the supported groups.
Furthermore, Labora has organized two formative seminars for these groups, with discussions focused on decent work and its intersection with the global climate agenda, addressing the just transition and its challenges. It also held four panels with leaders of the fight for decent work, researchers, and philanthropic organizations.
Through an exchange program, 25 supported projects visited each other to explore, on the ground, the challenges and strategies for organizing and advancing collective struggles in various territories across all regions of Brazil.
