Areas of Work

The two main goals of USDA Food for Progress Tunisia, implemented by Partners of the Americas, are to increase trade between the U.S. and Tunisia and improve agricultural productivity in the oases sector. Tunisia is a key partner for the U.S. and supporting agriculture development efforts in the country are essential to maintaining robust economic and security partnerships. The project seeks to enhance the sustainability of the oases crops in the southern regions of Tunisia by improving water management and building long term economic stability. Tunisia’s oases are a major agriculture production zone and the primary source of income and employment in the country’s southern regions.

The project will catalyze the adoption of sustainable business models that reduce production costs, increase the farmgate price, and utilize economies of scale. In addition, the project will promote crop diversification to improve food security and provide additional revenue streams for producers. USDA Food for Progress Tunisia will operate by employing a cost-effective strategy that leverages innovations, incentives, and Tunisian private sector investments to achieve its objectives.

Through its intervention, USDA Food for Progress Tunisia will improve the U.S.-Tunisia trade enabling environment by tackling food safety and trade facilitation, including the simplification, modernization, and harmonization of processes for the export, import, and transit of agricultural goods.

USDA Food for Progress Mauritania, implemented by Partners of the Americas, has two main goals: to increase trade between the U.S. and Mauritania and improve horticulture sector productivity. These goals are related—Partners of the Americas harnesses U.S. technologies to increase Mauritanian farmers’ yields. Mauritania is a key U.S. ally, and supporting agriculture development efforts in the country is essential to maintaining robust economic and security partnerships. The project collaborates with the Mauritanian Government and has excellent relationships with federal, regional, and local authorities.

The project provides a sustainable, reliable source of fruits and vegetables to help meet Mauritania’s food security needs while increasing the resilience of farmers. USDA Food for Progress Mauritania increases two-way trade opportunities through trade fairs, two-way exchanges, market studies, and farmer demonstration plots. USDA’s investment in the Mauritanian agriculture sector boosts U.S. exports like machinery, cold storage equipment, seeds, crop protection products, and irrigation equipment exports. Partners of the Americas implements USDA Food for Progress Mauritania by employing a cost-effective strategy that leverages private sector investments to modernize and optimize Mauritania’s horticulture sector.

Cacao for Development (C4D) aims to strengthen Colombia’s cacao sector by supporting cacao farmers attain economically viable diversified farming systems, sustainable agricultural landscapes, and equitable commercialization models.
The USDA Food for Progress Colombia – Cacao and Complementary Crops for Development (C4D) project aims to strengthen Colombia’s cacao sector to solidify U.S.-Colombia trade relations. The project represents USDA’s largest investment in Colombian agriculture, highlighting its strategic importance for both countries. The U.S. chocolate market, valued at $28.45 billion in 2025 and projected to reach $36.79 billion by 2030, depends on a stable cacao supply, as the U.S. does not grow cacao domestically. Colombia’s geographical proximity reduces transportation costs and enhances supply chain stability. C4D also strengthens the production of complementary crops for cacao, including plantain and Tabasco peppers, supporting domestic sales and U.S. exports.

Between 2022 and 2024, C4D engaged more than 5,000 producers, generating $14 million in cacao sales and strengthening 72 local producer organizations, improving their market access. To date, C4D has leveraged USDA’s investment to secure $2 million+ in cost-share commitments from local private and public sector partners. By providing training, technical assistance, and financial tools, C4D enhances Colombia’s economic resilience, mitigates migration pressures, and fosters regional stability.

The Mexico United 2026 project, funded by the U.S. Department of State, aims to strengthen Mexico’s capacity to prevent and address labor and human rights risks associated with the 2026 FIFA World Cup. By working closely with local labor rights organizations and engaging national and local authorities, the project seeks to reduce the risk of labor abuses and human rights violations during the event. 

As the United States plays a central role as a co-host in the 2026 World Cup, ensuring fair labor practices and protecting worker rights in Mexico directly supports broader efforts to uphold standards across North America. By improving labor conditions, the project not only contributes to a more ethical labor environment in Mexico but also ensures that U.S. businesses are operating on a level playing field, free from unfair competition. By addressing these labor and human rights concerns proactively, Mexico United 2026 helps to reinforce the shared values between the U.S. and Mexico, fostering stronger trade relations and economic stability. This initiative reflects a commitment to ethical labor practices, supports workers’ rights, and strengthens regional partnerships that benefit both nations. 

Advancing Labor Compliance in Colombia’s Port Sector (Colombia Ports Project, or CPP), funded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Trade and Labor Affairs, works to improve Colombia’s compliance with local and international labor rights in the port sector. Focused on eliminating forced labor, child labor, and other labor violations, the project promotes compliance with international labor rights, strengthens workers’ organizations, and fosters social dialogue to address labor challenges in key Colombian ports. The project runs from 2020 to 2025 and focuses on creating sustainable solutions to improve labor conditions and minimize disruptions in critical global supply chains. 

CPP strengthens labor law enforcement and ensures fair working conditions in Colombia’s port sector, which is key to maintaining stable trade flows. By improving labor standards, the project helps level the playing field for U.S. businesses and reduces the risk of unfair competition from regions with weaker labor practices. Additionally, stabilizing Colombia’s port sector enhances the efficiency and reliability of trade, benefitting U.S. businesses and supporting stronger economic ties between the U.S. and Colombia.  Learn more about CPP.Funding is provided by the United States Department of Labor under cooperative agreement number IL-35742-20-75-K. 100% of the total costs of the project is financed with federal funds, for a total of U.S. $5,000,000 dollars. This material 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.

The AgroJusto Project, implemented by Partners of the Americas and funded by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), seeks to improve compliance with international labor standards in Ecuador’s agricultural sector, focusing on eradicating child labor and forced labor while promoting labor rights within the country’s banana and cut flower supply chains. The project, which began in 2023, is set to run through 2027. 

The United States is the leading buyer of Ecuadorian flowers, importing 43% of all Ecuadorian cut flower exports. Similarly, the U.S is a significant market for Ecuadorian bananas, accounting for approximately 15% of Ecuador’s total banana exports. Both the banana and flower sectors in Ecuador have been marked by a significant prevalence of child labor and forced labor, alongside persistent deficiencies in the enforcement of international labor standards. These challenges underscore the need for targeted efforts to ensure compliance with global labor regulations within these critical supply chains.  By collaborating closely with Ecuadorian entrepreneurs, producers, government officials, buyers, and exporters, AgroJusto fosters fair practices within the banana and cut flower supply chains. The project prioritizes the adoption of labor rights as a core element of business agendas in these sectors. By addressing labor abuses and fostering better working conditions in Ecuador, AgroJusto helps create a level playing field, reducing the risk of unfair competition from exploitative practices. This, in turn, strengthens U.S. agricultural industries and supports American workers. 

The Empowering Women in the Mexican Workplace project seeks to improve labor conditions for women in Mexico by increasing their leadership in unions, strengthening safeguards against workplace harassment and abuse, and advocating for fair wages and compliance with minimum labor standards. By promoting fair labor practices and safer work environments, the project supports greater economic stability and resilience, benefiting both Mexican and U.S. workers. This initiative is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Trade and Labor Affairs. 

The project collaborates with civil society organizations to engage women workers, unions, employer associations, and other key stakeholders. By incorporating women’s labor rights into existing labor programs, the project strengthens protections that are essential for ensuring ethical labor practices and fair competition in North American supply chains. By improving workplace conditions for women in Mexico, the project helps build stronger labor institutions and supports economic growth, advancing shared prosperity between the U.S. and Mexico. 

The Mexico Migration Messaging Project (MMMP), implemented by Partners of the Americas and funded by the U.S. Department of State, is designed to deter illegal migration from Mexico to the United States. This initiative aligns uses official communication channels to inform potential migrants about the risks and consequences of illegal entry, including the certainty of U.S. immigration enforcement. Through targeted messaging on social media, large-scale advertising campaigns, and rapid response strategies, the project works to prevent migration while enhancing border security. 

By reducing illegal migration, the MMMP helps mitigate the financial burden on U.S. taxpayers and strengthens the integrity of U.S. immigration policies. The project also supports U.S. national interests by addressing the root causes of migration, contributing to regional stability, and promoting safer, more lawful migration pathways. Through its efforts, MMMP plays a key role in safeguarding U.S. borders, supporting economic prosperity, and advancing long-term security goals.