Migrant Workers Program

In partnership with Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), MOSAIC is accepting requests for collaboration from not-for-profit organizations until August 15, 2020, whose projects intend to:

• Support migrant workers during emergency situations both COVID and non-COVID related;
• Increase migrant workers’ awareness and understanding of their rights and responsibilities through educational activities and/or existing educational material;
• Empower migrant workers to exercise their rights by providing or assisting in accessing services available to them;
• Foster inclusion and welcoming of migrant workers through social, cultural and/or sporting events;
• Assist employers in supporting migrant workers they hire (e.g. provide interpretation services, deliver workshops at the workplace, etc.);
• Increase employers’ awareness and understanding of the needs, challenges and issues faced by migrant workers and their responsibilities (and of their staff) as per Program requirements and conditions;
• A combination of the above.

This federal initiative will provide funding to assist community organizations within the province of B.C.:

• in their capacity to implement sustainable, innovative approaches to assist workers and employers better understand their rights and responsibilities under the TFW Program, and;

• in their response to emergencies related to workers including both COVID and non-COVID related emergencies (in contrast with the Immediate Response to Emergencies which provides short-term and immediate financial aid to organizations supporting TFWs in situations of emergency).

Through MOSAIC, organizations now have access to 3 streams of funding:

Stream 1: Immediate Response to Emergencies. Through this process, initially launched in June 2020, organizations may apply for funding to provide short-term and immediate emergency financial aid to TFWs in situation of emergency (now both COVID and non-COVID related).  This is a revised version of the funding stream that was announced in June 2020.

Stream 2: Project Based Capacity Building. This stream of funding may include emergency funding (COVID and non-COVID) along with project based funding. Collaborating organizations may be eligible for a maximum of $60,000 and there is a limit of one proposal per organization.

Stream 3: Ad-Hoc funds for non-emergency and non-COVID projects and/or activities to support migrant workers. (e.g. transportation to events, translation/interpretation support)

Steams 1 and 3: $500 to $5,000 per Request for Collaboration. Organizations will be able to reapply for funding during the funding period.

Steam 2: up to $60,000 per project, per organization.

Completion Date: All approved activities are to be completed no later than February 24, 2021.

Request for Collaboration – Submission Form

Download the Submission Form here.

Please email the completed Request for Collaboration Form to Saleem Spindari, Senior Manager of Refugees and Migrant Workers Programs, at sspindari@mosaicbc.org with any additional documents you feel are relevant to further highlight the information in this Request for Collaboration. All Request for Collaboration should be completed and sent to the appropriate email address by September 8, 2020.

Stream 1: Immediate Response to Emergencies

• Complete Request for Collaboration Form
• Completed Request for Collaboration to Saleem Spindari, Senior Manager of Refugees and Migrant Workers Programs, at sspindari@mosaicbc.org with any additional documents you feel are relevant to further highlight the information in this Request for Collaboration

Stream 2: Project Based Capacity Building

• Complete Request for Collaboration Form
• Completed Request for Collaboration to Saleem Spindari, Senior Manager of Refugees and Migrant Workers Programs, at sspindari@mosaicbc.org with any additional documents you feel are relevant to further highlight the information in this Request for Collaboration
• NOTE: All Request for Collaboration should be completed and sent to the appropriate email address by September 8, 2020.

Stream 3: Ad-Hoc funds for non-emergency and non-COVID projects and/or activities to support migrant workers. (e.g. transportation to events, translation/interpretation support)

• Please contact Saleem Spindari, Senior Manager of Refugees and Migrant Workers Programs, at sspindari@mosaicbc.org

Q: Is there a deadline for submitting a Request for Collaboration?

A: For Stream 2: Requests for collaboration are being accepted until September 8, 2020. For Streams 1 and 3, Requests for Collaboration are being accepted until further notice. All approved activities are to be completed no later than February 24, 2021.

Q: Could groups that are not considered “not-for-profits” apply for funding under this project?

A: Only not-for-profits that are registered in BC could apply. Other groups are welcome to collaborate with a registered not-for-profit group in BC working with migrant workers to apply for funding.

Q: Are there any reporting requirements for projects that received funding?

A: Groups that receive funding are required to report back on activities that they perform. A reporting template will be shared with each group who signs a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate.

The reports are due on the following dates:

• Monthly Reports: Due on the 5th day of the following month.
• Quarter 1: From July to September 30^th, 2020 (Report is due on October 7, 2020)
• Quarter 2: From October 1^st to December 31^st, 2020 (Report is due on January 7, 2021)
• Quarter 3: From January 1^st to February 24, 2021 (Report is due on March 3^rd, 2021)

Q: Is the funding available only for activities that are performed in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley?

A: Funding is available for activities performed in all regions of British Columbia.

Q: Could funding be used to support all groups of migrant workers?

A: The primary target of this project are migrant workers who have entered Canada under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.

Q: Are administration fees considered an eligible expenditure?

A: Under the terms and conditions of our funding program, we recommend that administration fees not exceed 10% of the overall project cost.

Q: Are wages for staff considered an eligible expenditure under the COVID-19 Request for Collaboration?

A: Wages are eligible as long as they are in direct relation to the activities undertaken. These funds are also available to support eligible activities. They can also be used to cover professional fees (i.e. translation, interpretation, counselling, etc.).

Q: Will our reports be shared directly with the Government of Canada?

A: Data from the reports will be shared with the Government of Canada through MOSAIC (the name of your organization will be identified) for both formal reporting processes as well as identifying the impact of project funding.

Q: What costs should be included in the administrative fees? 

A: Administrative fees cover the costs associated with planning, budgeting, and maintaining the project. All costs associated with executing the project and activities should not be included in the administrative fees, but in the Services/Products budget. For example, the salary for providing learning sessions should be reflected in the Services/Products section. The Admin fee is 10% and staff salary it is not included.

Q: Can the purchase of equipment be funded through the Project Based Funding?

A: Please submit your proposal and this will be discussed on case by case to discuss the need of the program.

Created Material

Q: What are the differences between the 3 created material review processes?

A: AdHoc – Ad hoc resources are previously created documents (previously approved by ESDC with minor changes), documents collected from other resources and all other existing material for providing education, training, or awareness to temporary foreign workers, employers or community organizations.

• • For example: Factsheets from AMSSA, WorkSafeBC and/or Employment Standards Branch, Handouts from the Canadian Mental Health Association, etc

Communication – Communication/promotional resources are material produced for the purpose of sharing event/activity information, resource or service information, gathering information and promoting events as outlined in the MWSN funding agreements.

• • Examples: Newsletters, invitations, flyers, event posters, lists of resources/services, social medial posts and all other promotional materials etc.

Education – This was an eligible item under ESDC’s funding during last year fiscal year. Educational resources are material produced for providing education, training, or awareness to temporary foreign workers, employers or community organizations.

• • Example: PowerPoint presentations, Info or Factsheets, Informational brochures, etc.

Each process requires a review process and has a corresponding checklist that will guide organizations through the process. MOSAIC will share process checklists with all Stream 2 funding recipients.

Note: Developing educational material is not eligible in the current funding processes.

Q: Can organizations request funding for the creation of educational resources?

A: To ensure accuracy and consistency in the information disseminated to TFWs, employers or community organizations, the creation of new educational material will not be part of the current funding processes.

We encourage organizations to use existing material developed during the MWSN Pilot or by subject matter experts. Organizations can contact MOSAIC for support in locating developed material. Exceptions could be made on a case-by-case basis, should it be determined that critical information is unavailable Any request for material should be submitted to MOSAIC and will then be brought to the attention of ESDC who will explore options to make accurate information available.

Q: Do organizations require MOSAIC and ESDC approval to use material?

A: Yes, when organizations are anticipating using material for the promotion of an event (i.e. workshop, fair, brochure, etc.), they should seek the approval of MOSAIC and ESDC.

Q: What happens to communication/promotional materials (eg. flyers, brochures, etc.) after they are approved by MOSAIC and ESDC?

A: Once approved by ESDC, promotional materials are shared with collaborating agencies, community groups, as well as on MOSAIC’s Migrant Workers Program webpage and various social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, GCCollab, NewToBC, Get In The Know) and with CANN YVR Kiosk.

Q: If the review process for education materials were disrupted by COVID-19, can we submit them again for review now?

A: Yes, you can submit the educational material using the AdHoc process checklist document and mention that the document was previously sent to MOSAIC and that you would like to continue the review process.

Q: Does education material that has been approved by ESDC need to be submitted for review again when minor changes are made?

A: Yes, please submit for review any revisions to previously approved materials so that ESDC has a record of changes and can have a final look before it is shared.

Q: Do contact and resource lists need to be submitted for review?

A: Yes, if this is part of your funded project activity the Government of Canada’s logo and funding line lists should be submitted through the communication/promotional material process.

No, if you are using public government lists that you are customizing to your needs, but should be shared through the Ad Hoc process for ESDC’s recommendations and for the purpose of info sharing with other organizations for the benefits of TFWs.

Q: Do we need MOSAIC/ESDC approval before sharing government updates and resources?

A: No. Government updates and resources can be shared without approval, as it is public information.

Q: What details do organizations have to provide on the sources of information included in the process checklists?

A: The checklists should include the full name, position title, and organization for each expert used as a source of information. References and/or website links should be provided when documentation is used as a source of information.

Note: MOSAIC will share process checklists with all Stream 2 funding recipients.

Q: If I submit for review an event flyer together with the PowerPoint presentation that will be used at the event, will the two items be reviewed and approved at the same time? Can I request the flyer to be approved earlier in order to begin promotion?

A: The flyer cannot be approved unless the information on the PowerPoint presentation has been reviewed. It could be approved on case by case.

Q: If I am a collaborating agency, do I have to include MOSAIC’s logo on all materials submitted for review?

A: Yes, we recommend adding the Government of Canada logo with the funding line as well as MOSAIC’s logo.