Combatting Trafficking in Persons in Uzbekistan. | OFOP0001649

Opportunity Information: Apply for OFOP0001649

The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) is offering a discretionary grant opportunity called "Combatting Trafficking in Persons in Uzbekistan" (Funding Opportunity Number OFOP0001649). The grant is designed to support a single, focused project that helps reduce human trafficking in Uzbekistan, including both sex trafficking and labor trafficking. While the Government of Uzbekistan has increased its efforts to address trafficking crimes, traffickers still target vulnerable people, particularly women, children, and marginalized groups, subjecting them to forced labor and sexual exploitation. The overall goal of this funding is to back practical, sustainable work that improves how trafficking is prevented, reported, investigated, and prosecuted, while also strengthening protections for victims.

A central problem the opportunity highlights is underreporting by victims, which is described as one of the biggest obstacles to effective enforcement. Many victims in Uzbekistan do not report trafficking because they fear retaliation, do not trust the justice system, feel pressure from cultural or social norms, or simply are not aware of their rights and the services available to them. When cases go unreported, law enforcement cannot reliably understand how widespread trafficking is, where it is happening, or which populations are most affected. That weakens planning and resource allocation, limits the ability to pursue perpetrators, and contributes to a cycle of impunity where traffickers continue operating with relatively low risk.

To break that cycle, the notice calls for stronger reporting mechanisms that are victim-centered and culturally sensitive. In practice, that means systems that make it safer and easier for victims (and potentially witnesses or community members) to come forward. The opportunity explicitly points to approaches like anonymous reporting options, better and more comprehensive data collection, and routine assessments to confirm that the reporting mechanisms are actually capturing the reality of trafficking trends. The emphasis is not only on getting more reports, but on improving the quality, consistency, and usefulness of information so it can drive smarter interventions and stronger case outcomes.

INL signals that competitive proposals should address several connected areas. First, projects should enhance victim protection and assistance, which can include improving referral pathways to services, ensuring victims are treated appropriately and safely when they report, and strengthening support systems that reduce the personal risk of coming forward. Second, projects should strengthen law enforcement and judicial capacity, which can involve training, improved procedures, and tools that help officials identify trafficking, handle victims properly, build stronger cases, and pursue prosecutions more effectively. Third, projects should improve data collection and analysis so that Uzbekistan can better measure the scope of trafficking, identify patterns, and evaluate whether interventions are working. Finally, proposals should foster multi-stakeholder collaboration, recognizing that trafficking is rarely solved by one institution alone and that coordination across government agencies, civil society, and service providers is essential to prevention, reporting, protection, and accountability.

The maximum award amount (ceiling) is $400,000, and INL expects to make one award. The application deadline listed is January 6, 2025, and the opportunity was posted on October 29, 2024. Eligible applicants are limited to nonprofit organizations with U.S. IRS 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education. The funding instrument is a grant, and the activity category is Law, Justice and Legal Services under CFDA/Assistance Listing number 19.705. Overall, the opportunity is aimed at funding a targeted, innovative project that directly addresses the reporting gap and related system weaknesses, improving victim safety while enabling stronger anti-trafficking enforcement and better long-term outcomes in Uzbekistan.

• The Bureau of International Narcotics-Law Enforcement in the law, justice and legal services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Combatting Trafficking in Persons in Uzbekistan." and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.705.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-10-29.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-01-06. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $400,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.

Apply for OFOP0001649

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