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 August 15, 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 August 15, 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 August 15, 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.