Chamber and committees

The Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund initially ran from 2017 to 2020, and was then extended to October 2021 due to the impacts of covid-19. It was superseded by a revised funding programme: the current Equality and Human Rights Fund.

The Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund was used to fund projects that would contribute to one or more of four outcomes:

• Discrimination against people who share protected characteristics is reduced and multiple discrimination is addressed so that barriers to participation are reduced.
• People covered by hate crime legislation experience lower levels of hate crime.
• People and communities are supported to participate in and engage with services and civic society; their contribution is recognised, and community cohesion is increased.
• Current imbalances in representation in all aspects and levels of public life, including education and employment are addressed to better reflect our communities

The “Women Asylum Seeker Housing Project” was funded to address housing problems of women asylum seekers by training and supporting women to report repairs and resolve housing issues. Training would focus on rights and responsibilities,reporting housing issues and signposting women to other support services. The findings would be used to campaign for equal access to housing of a standard available to the general community. They would also address emerging issues such as overcrowding and families having to share accommodation.

The specific outcomes to be achieved were:

• Discrimination in housing provision for asylum seekers will be tackled and women from asylum seeker backgrounds will gain in confidence and skills through their participation
• Women from asylum seeker backgrounds will gain in confidence and skills through their participation

The Fund was managed on a day to day basis on the Scottish Government’s behalf by Impact Funding Partners initially and then Inspiring Scotland. You can find a Final Progress Update report for the Fund summarising its impacts here: Promoting-Equality-and-Cohesion-Fund-Final-Report-Jan-Sep-2021-for-SG-publication.pdf

The Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund initially ran from 2017 to 2020, and was then extended to October 2021 due to the impacts of covid-19. It was superseded by a revised funding programme: the current Equality and Human Rights Fund.

The Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund was used to fund projects that would contribute to one or more of four outcomes:

• Discrimination against people who share protected characteristics is reduced and multiple discrimination is addressed so that barriers to participation are reduced.
• People covered by hate crime legislation experience lower levels of hate crime.
• People and communities are supported to participate in and engage with services and civic society; their contribution is recognised, and community cohesion is increased.
• Current imbalances in representation in all aspects and levels of public life, including education and employment are addressed to better reflect our communities

The ‘Local CommUNITY Voices project’ was funded to enable SCOREScotland to engage with diverse local Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities, raise their awareness of community planning changes such as the new Localities; build their capacity to engage with services and to play their civic role; build/strengthen local partnership approaches to addressing prejudice and hate crime, offer family advocacy and support to facilitate reporting, rebuilding trust and seeking social justice in order to enhance community safety, promote equality and community cohesion.

The specific outcomes to be achieved were:

• Enhance (increase) the Capacity of BME individuals/groups to engage with service providers and re-design services
• Enhance the capacity of BME people to move the prevention of racism agenda forward in the South West of Edinburgh
• Family Advocacy and Support

The Fund was managed on a day to day basis on the Scottish Government’s behalf by Impact Funding Partners initially and then Inspiring Scotland. You can find a Final Progress Update report for the Fund summarising its impacts here: Promoting-Equality-and-Cohesion-Fund-Final-Report-Jan-Sep-2021-for-SG-publication.pdf

The Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund initially ran from 2017 to 2020, and was then extended to October 2021 due to the impacts of covid-19. It was superseded by a revised funding programme: the current Equality and Human Rights Fund.

The Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund was used to fund projects that would contribute to one or more of four outcomes:

• Discrimination against people who share protected characteristics is reduced and multiple discrimination is addressed so that barriers to participation are reduced.
• People covered by hate crime legislation experience lower levels of hate crime.
• People and communities are supported to participate in and engage with services and civic society; their contribution is recognised, and community cohesion is increased.
• Current imbalances in representation in all aspects and levels of public life, including education and employment are addressed to better reflect our communities

The Economic Barriers and Community Cohesion project was funded to support Grampian Regional Equality Council’s work with partners to better understand and address inequalities faced by ethnic minority groups in employment by tackling and removing specific barriers. It will work with community groups and workers to engage with ethnic minority groups in regeneration areas with the aim of improving community cohesion and access to services (particularly English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) & employability).

The specific outcomes to be achieved were:

• There are effective mechanisms to gather, analyse, disseminate and use ethnicity & employment data to influence policy & practice and improve equal representation of ethnic minorities in employment in the North East of Scotland
• There is improved community cohesion and access to services and employment in target areas (Tillydrone, Torry and Fraserburgh)

The Fund was managed on a day to day basis on the Scottish Government’s behalf by Impact Funding Partners initially and then Inspiring Scotland. You can find a Final Progress Update report for the Fund summarising its impacts here: Promoting-Equality-and-Cohesion-Fund-Final-Report-Jan-Sep-2021-for-SG-publication.pdf

The Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund initially ran from 2017 to 2020, and was then extended to October 2021 due to the impacts of covid-19. It was superseded by a revised funding programme: the current Equality and Human Rights Fund.

The Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund was used to fund projects that would contribute to one or more of four outcomes:

• Discrimination against people who share protected characteristics is reduced and multiple discrimination is addressed so that barriers to participation are reduced.
• People covered by hate crime legislation experience lower levels of hate crime.
• People and communities are supported to participate in and engage with services and civic society; their contribution is recognised, and community cohesion is increased.
• Current imbalances in representation in all aspects and levels of public life, including education and employment are addressed to better reflect our communities

The "Music – A Language for Social Change" project was funded to support Limelight music to work to address discrimination, social isolation and limited life choices experienced by individuals with impairments. These challenges would be met through: continued development of musicians with impairments & provision of employment opportunities; provision of recreational music programmes for individuals with impairments experiencing social isolation; and facilitating the self-representation and self-determination of individuals with impairments.

The specific outcomes to be achieved were:

• Increase in employment, training & educational opportunities for individuals with impairments.
• Reduce social isolation experienced by young people and adults with impairments
• Improve self-representation of individuals with impairments

The Fund was managed on a day to day basis on the Scottish Government’s behalf by Impact Funding Partners initially and then Inspiring Scotland. You can find a Final Progress Update report for the Fund summarising its impacts here: Promoting-Equality-and-Cohesion-Fund-Final-Report-Jan-Sep-2021-for-SG-publication.pdf

The Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund initially ran from 2017 to 2020, and was then extended to October 2021 due to the impacts of covid-19. It was superseded by a revised funding programme: the current Equality and Human Rights Fund.

The Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund was used to fund projects that would contribute to one or more of four outcomes:

• Discrimination against people who share protected characteristics is reduced and multiple discrimination is addressed so that barriers to participation are reduced.
• People covered by hate crime legislation experience lower levels of hate crime.
• People and communities are supported to participate in and engage with services and civic society; their contribution is recognised, and community cohesion is increased.
• Current imbalances in representation in all aspects and levels of public life, including education and employment are addressed to better reflect our communities

The Opening Doors project was funded to support Generations Working Together (GWT) to build strong and mutually beneficial working partnerships with local and national organisations and groups who work with people who fall under the protected characteristics of age, disability and race. Through sharing of learning, providing networking opportunities and giving practical support, people would gain the confidence and knowledge on how to connect younger and older generations with the aim of reducing discrimination, isolation and loneliness, creating more opportunities within the community for people to connect and build relationships between the generations.

GWT would also influence and campaign, enabling organisations to fully understand the impact intergenerational work can have when the approach is embedded within local and national policy and organisational plans. In addition it would grow and diversify local networks inviting and connecting members with new groups of people including disability and ethnic groups.

The specific outcomes to be achieved were:

• Organisations, including those working with protected characteristics age, disability & race will increase and develop knowledge, understanding and projects that use intergenerational approaches to challenge and reduce ageism and discrimination and promote the inclusion of people from diverse backgrounds.
• People within protected characteristics groups (age, disability and race) will experience a reduction in discrimination, loneliness and isolation and barriers to connecting to other generations. They are more included in their communities and acknowledged for their contributions.
• Empowering people within local and national organisations, local authorities, national public agencies and government to adopt and embed intergenerational approaches to address the challenges of our ageing population whilst promoting positive images of younger and older people.

The Fund was managed on a day to day basis on the Scottish Government’s behalf by Impact Funding Partners initially and then Inspiring Scotland. You can find a Final Progress Update report for the Fund summarising its impacts here: Promoting-Equality-and-Cohesion-Fund-Final-Report-Jan-Sep-2021-for-SG-publication.pdf

The Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund initially ran from 2017 to 2020, and was then extended to October 2021 due to the impacts of covid-19. It was superseded by a revised funding programme: the current Equality and Human Rights Fund.

The Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund was used to fund projects that would contribute to one or more of four outcomes:

• Discrimination against people who share protected characteristics is reduced and multiple discrimination is addressed so that barriers to participation are reduced.
• People covered by hate crime legislation experience lower levels of hate crime.
• People and communities are supported to participate in and engage with services and civic society; their contribution is recognised, and community cohesion is increased.
• Current imbalances in representation in all aspects and levels of public life, including education and employment are addressed to better reflect our communities

(a) Empowering Pathways for Women

The Empowering Pathways for Women project was funded to support delivery of a programme designed to strengthen women’s choices and participation in all aspects of their lives. Women would be supported to shape their life journeys and fulfil their potential; to experience a sense of belonging; raise their aspirations; and to speak up and tackle inequality, prejudice and discrimination; to engage in cultural and civic life.

The specific outcomes to be achieved were:

• Women experience a sense of belonging, raise their aspirations and speak up and tackle inequality
• Women have improved their skills to achieve their goals in becoming more successful learners

(b) Young Women Lead project.

The Young Women Lead project was to deliver a new leadership programme for young women aged 30 and under living in Scotland and the Young Women’s Movement would provide a safe space for up to 100 young women to explore gender and equality and develop new and innovative ways to lead change.

The specific outcomes to be achieved were:

• Young women feel confident to give evidence on behalf of the Young Women’s Movement in Scottish Parliament Committee sessions
• Young women improve the pipeline to more equal representation in the public and third sector.
• Young women influence and improve Scottish Parliament Committee social media.

The Fund was managed on a day to day basis on the Scottish Government’s behalf by Impact Funding Partners initially and then Inspiring Scotland. You can find a Final Progress Update report for the Fund summarising its impacts here: Promoting-Equality-and-Cohesion-Fund-Final-Report-Jan-Sep-2021-for-SG-publication.pdf

The Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund initially ran from 2017 to 2020, and was then extended to October 2021 due to the impacts of covid-19. It was superseded by a revised funding programme: the current Equality and Human Rights Fund.

The Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund was used to fund projects that would contribute to one or more of four outcomes:

• Discrimination against people who share protected characteristics is reduced and multiple discrimination is addressed so that barriers to participation are reduced.
• People covered by hate crime legislation experience lower levels of hate crime.
• People and communities are supported to participate in and engage with services and civic society; their contribution is recognised, and community cohesion is increased.
• Current imbalances in representation in all aspects and levels of public life, including education and employment are addressed to better reflect our communities

The ESOL for Work Project was funded to help Glasgow English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Forum support 1240 Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) jobseekers and employees to improve their English language skills through high quality ESOL for Employability courses (144 learners achieving SQA qualifications), ESOL classes in the workplace and/or in partnership with community organisations with an employability focus (106 learners) and a support service to signpost learners to other opportunities (990 learners)

The specific outcomes to be achieved were:

• Improved language skills and job readiness for BME jobseekers and ESOL learners through the provision of accessible SQA accredited ESOL for Employability courses
• Increased opportunities for BME employees and jobseekers to access tailored, accessible ESOL provision at workplaces &/or community projects
• Reduce barriers to employment, educational opportunities and participation in public life for BME communities through ESOL provision

The Fund was managed on a day to day basis on the Scottish Government’s behalf by Impact Funding Partners initially and then Inspiring Scotland. You can find a Final Progress Update report for the Fund summarising its impacts here: Promoting-Equality-and-Cohesion-Fund-Final-Report-Jan-Sep-2021-for-SG-publication.pdf

Shirley-Anne Somerville: The Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund initially ran from 2017 to 2020, and was then extended to October 2021 due to the impacts of covid-19. It was superseded by a revised funding programme: the current Equality and Human Rights Fund.

The Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund was used to fund projects that would contribute to one or more of four outcomes:

• Discrimination against people who share protected characteristics is reduced and multiple discrimination is addressed so that barriers to participation are reduced.
• People covered by hate crime legislation experience lower levels of hate crime.
• People and communities are supported to participate in and engage with services and civic society; their contribution is recognised, and community cohesion is increased.
• Current imbalances in representation in all aspects and levels of public life, including education and employment are addressed to better reflect our communities

As part of the “Deaf Sector Partnership (DSP)” project, Deafblind Scotland were funded to ensure implimentation and delivery of the National and Local plans in respect to the BSL (Scotland) Act 2015. This would include development and delivery of training, formating of information and developing and providing the expert advice on Tactile BSL.

The specific outcomes to be achieved were:

• Increasing awareness, confidence and skills in relation to tactile BSL within the deaf sector, BSL community and public bodies.
• Supporting engagement of tactile BSL users with public bodies national and local
• Support the civic participation of tactile BSL users

The Fund was managed on a day to day basis on the Scottish Government’s behalf by Impact Funding Partners initially and then Inspiring Scotland. You can find a Final Progress Update report for the Fund summarising its impacts here: Promoting-Equality-and-Cohesion-Fund-Final-Report-Jan-Sep-2021-for-SG-publication.pdf

The Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund initially ran from 2017 to 2020, and was then extended to October 2021 due to the impacts of covid-19. It was superseded by a revised funding programme: the current Equality and Human Rights Fund.

The Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund was used to fund projects that would contribute to one or more of four outcomes:

• Discrimination against people who share protected characteristics is reduced and multiple discrimination is addressed so that barriers to participation are reduced.
• People covered by hate crime legislation experience lower levels of hate crime.
• People and communities are supported to participate in and engage with services and civic society; their contribution is recognised, and community cohesion is increased.
• Current imbalances in representation in all aspects and levels of public life, including education and employment are addressed to better reflect our communities

The Maryhill Integration Network project was funded to support the Maryhill Integration Network (MIN) to design and deliver a varied, inclusive and user-led, weekly programme of activities focusing on community cohesion, participation, and the development of social bonds. This programme of activities would run alongside advice & support, outreach partnership projects and regular community events across the city, and beyond. MIN would focus on the arts as a tool for integration, environmental awareness and building community resilience. Through developing a weekly programme, community events, and partnership projects, MIN would enable people with the protected characteristics of race, religion, age and sex, to reduce barriers to community participation, increase access to skills development volunteering opportunities, and experience safer and more confident communities in Glasgow.

The specific outcomes to be achieved were:

• Increased opportunities to engage in activities promoting positive community cohesion for those with the protected characteristics of race, religion and sex
• People with protected characteristics of race, religion and sex have increased opportunities to access community learning and volunteering to help them to progress into further education and employment.
• Communities are better equipped to take preventative measures to reduce instances of poverty, discrimination and hate crime based on the protected characteristics of race, religion and sex

The Fund was managed on a day to day basis on the Scottish Government’s behalf by Impact Funding Partners initially and then Inspiring Scotland. You can find a Final Progress Update report for the Fund summarising its impacts here: Promoting-Equality-and-Cohesion-Fund-Final-Report-Jan-Sep-2021-for-SG-publication.pdf

The Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund initially ran from 2017 to 2020, and was then extended to October 2021 due to the impacts of covid-19. It was superseded by a revised funding programme: the current Equality and Human Rights Fund.

The Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund was used to fund projects that would contribute to one or more of four outcomes:

Discrimination against people who share protected characteristics is reduced and multiple discrimination is addressed so that barriers to participation are reduced.

People covered by hate crime legislation experience lower levels of hate crime.

People and communities are supported to participate in and engage with services and civic society; their contribution is recognised, and community cohesion is increased.

Current imbalances in representation in all aspects and levels of public life, including education and employment are addressed to better reflect our communities

The “Hear for Welfare” project was funded to support Welfare Rights provision based in Glasgow and to employ a Welfare Rights Officer and administrative support. The project covered 12 local authority areas in Scotland and worked with and on behalf of people suffering from hearing loss. The provision delivered benefits and welfare advice in a community setting and in beneficiaries’ homes ensuring they had the right access and opportunity to maximise their income and enhance their financial capablity and inclusion. More specifically the outcomes were listed as:

• 80 deaf or hard of hearing people would engage fully with the service
• meetings would be held locally to discuss personal circumstances with preferred communication support
• 1 Information session would be held in each local authority area per annum
• Income maximisation reports would be produced
• 50% of beneficiaries would report having an increase in disposable income
• Deaf and hard of hearing people would have an increased awareness and management of individual rights, benefits and services available to them, their families and carers

The Fund was managed on a day to day basis on the Scottish Government’s behalf by Impact Funding Partners initially and then Inspiring Scotland. You can find a Final Progress Update report for the Fund summarising its impacts here: Promoting-Equality-and-Cohesion-Fund-Final-Report-Jan-Sep-2021-for-SG-publication.pdf