Global Accelerator Lab (GALAB)

The Global Accelerator Lab (GALAB) project tackles the critical issue of child labour and forced labour, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 8.7 on decent work and economic growth. Funded by the United States Department of Labor (USDOL) and operating under the ILO's "8.7 Accelerator Lab", an initiative fostering innovative solutions to achieve this goal, the project works to eliminate all forms of child labour and forced labour.

The GALAB project fosters collaboration with key stakeholders, governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations, including the Alliance 8.7, a multi-stakeholder partnership committed to ending child labour and forced labour. 

Through a shared vision and collaborative efforts, the project ensures long-term impact. Businesses are also engaged through the ILO's Child Labour Platform (CLP) and the ILO's Global Business Network on Forced Labour (GBNFL) to promote ethical and responsible practices within their supply chains, and the project itself actively seeks and pilots innovative solutions to address child labour challenges in new and effective ways. 

At the regional level, the GALAB project strengthens the capacity of governments, social partners, and other stakeholders in Africa, Asia-Pacific and Latin America and the Caribbean to address child labour and forced labour.

Across beneficiary countries – Brazil, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Malaysia, Mauritania, Nigeria and Somalia – the GALAB project addresses the root causes that perpetuate child labour. This comprehensive approach involves working with governments to develop and implement stronger child labour policies and social protection measures, including those associated with childcare. The project also collaborates with local communities to promote health insurance access and provide skills training and alternative income-generating opportunities for families, empowering them to break the cycle of exploitation.

Learn more about the project

Countries and sectors covered

• Brazil (domestic labour)
• Democratic Republic of the Congo (mining)
• Côte d'Ivoire (cocoa)
• Ghana (fishing on Lake Volta)
• Malaysia (palm oil)
• Mauritania (domestic labour)
• Nigeria (cocoa)
• Somalia (governance)

Implementing partners

Global partnerships, regional organizations, national governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations, businesses, research institutions and civil society organizations.

Development partner

The Global Accelerator Lab (GALAB) project is funded by the United States Department of Labor (USDOL) under cooperative agreement No. IL-37950-21-75-K / IL-37950-F12. One hundred percent of the total costs of the project is financed with federal funds, for a total of US$ 15,000,000. This page web does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the United States Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the United States Government.