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 It was superseded by a revised funding programme: the current Equality and Human Rights Fund.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

As part of the “Deaf Sector Partnership (DSP)” project, Deaf Action were funded to support early implementation of the BSL (Scotland) Act 2015, as per previous discussions and proposals devised by the DSP in conjunction with the Scottish Government Equality Unit and Voluntary Action Fund.

The proposed core activities of the DSP were:

• Support delivery of actions set out in the BSL National Plan
• Support the civic participation of a range of BSL speakers across Scotland
• Support engagement between BSL speakers and public bodies
• Increase awareness, confidence & skills in relation to tactile BSL
• Publish the BSL National Plan and raise awareness of such
• Provide guidance to listed authorities in a range of ways

The specific outcomes to be achieved were:

• Identify, engage with and empower Deaf BSL speakers aged 18-30 (16-17 if in full time education within FE/HE sector), including these with protected characteristics, across Scotland so that they can participate in and engage effectively in society and with structures and bodies.
• Support public bodies to better understand and prepare to meet the needs of BSL speakers and meet their obligations under the BSL (Scotland) Act 2015, and support the Scottish Government with implementing the Act.
• Promote the BSL (Scotland) Act 2015 and associated processes on a national & global basis, sharing learning and experiences so that other countries can benefit and contribute to sign language legislations. Ensure Scottish BSL speakers are represented in global citizenship & politics.

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

"Equality, Access and Citizenship for Deaf People: Deaf Sector Partnership (DSP) support" project was funded to support Scottish Council on Deafness (SCOD) to provide specific infrastructure to support the national planning cycle, the BSL National Advisory Group (BSL NAG) set up to lead the BSL National Plan and contribute to the engagement required to include and involve Deaf / Deafblind and other people to develop the national plan priorities.

The specific outcomes to be achieved were:

• DSP activities and communications are effective, planned and co-ordinated to increase and improve the quality of communications, engagement and involvement of the Public Sector and Deaf / Deafblind people whose first or preferred language is BSL
• Public bodies supported to increase and improve engagement with Deaf / Deafblind people in their local areas when they are drafting their local plans

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

Angela Leitch CBE, was appointed as the Chair of the independent review of Creative Scotland based on merit and the criteria set out for public appointments under section 7 of the Scottish Ministerial Code. The role was not publicly advertised due to the timing of the independent Review, which is to conclude later this year.

Angela Leitch brings significant public sector experience having worked in a number of Local Authorities and as Chief Executive of Public Health Scotland. Angela Leitch also has relevant experience as Convener of the Board of the Scottish Local Authority Remuneration Committee. She is a member of the Accounts Committee and the Scottish Police Authority. She is also Chair of YouthLink Scotland and is a Trustee of the homelessness prevention charity Cyrenians.

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 ‘Gaining Recognised Employment and Training’ project was funded to provide an employability service for Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) women including: a) sector specific English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes for women who speak English as a second language (six weeks), followed by a placement with a local employer (eight weeks); b) accredited training courses; c) one to one advice on cv writing, application forms, interview skills, etc.

The specific outcomes to be achieved were:

• Women from BME and Migrant Communities will have increased access to employment through the provision of vocational ESOL classes and supported volunteer placements with local employers
• Women from BME and migrant communities will have improved opportunities to gain qualifications and move towards employment through the provision of accredited training
• Employers in Dundee will become more confident to employ women from BME communities

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

The "Promoting community support and rights for older people facing additional challenges" project was funded to support work with older people who live with disabilities and/or face other challenges and who want more services that give them real choices and enable them to live as independently as possible. The project would work alongside those older people to improve the number, range and quality of community services and to raise public and professional awareness and change attitudes to this group of older people. The project would bring people together, share good practice and publicise positive examples.

The specific outcomes to be achieved were:

• Older people with disabilities are better able to shape the services they use and so get support that reflects their circumstances and gives them a good quality of life.
• Public and professional awareness about older people and the contribution they make is increased and older people with disabilities have more opportunities to participate

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 ‘Open Door Project’ was funded to enable Sikh Sanjog to support women into employability by developing life/work skills. The project would create training opportunities through a Social Enterprise Community Café, deliver a strengthened programme of community outreach in support of vulnerable and culturally disadvantaged women, and provide in-depth cultural insight and sharing of good practice across agencies statutory and voluntary to help shape future policy decisions.

The specific outcomes to be achieved were:

• Sikh Women are supported to participate and engage in civic life and are more active in their local community. They will gain employability status, be empowered and have their ‘voices’ heard
• We will influence service provision and policy decision makers of high level local Government and NGOs listed below who are integral to developing policies which will benefit ethnic communities in particular women from the settled Sikh community.
• 25 individuals who access Sikh Sanjog’s holistic therapy service will have improved confidence, well-being and increased opportunities.

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 Equalities Project was funded to enable Maryhill and Possilpark Citizens Advice Bureau to broaden volunteering opportunities for protected characteristics individuals to increase confidence, skills/knowledge, aspirations, and community cohesion by ensuring equal participation and representation in public life. Volunteers with the CAB would gain workplace experience to access paid employment and/or further education/training. It was intended that the CAB would continue to strengthen its partnerships with local equality organisations and Glasgow CABx to address the needs of protected characteristics individuals.

The specific outcomes to be achieved were:

• People from equalities groups have increased access to quality advice and information services and are enabled to inform service design and delivery.
• People from across the protected characteristics will have increased opportunities to access quality volunteering opportunities, training and support which will increase their skills, knowledge and experience to enhance employability and representation in public life.

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 Equality Engagement project was funded to support a tailored mentoring program (the PLC scheme) and a shadowing scheme to provide support to Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) individuals to access public life and increase their engagement. All the activities would be inclusive, aimed at both BME men and women equally. Joint work would be carried out in partnership with major political parties at the grassroots level. Initiatives would be undertaken to get BME individuals involved in local democracy and community councils in West Lothian, Midlothian and East Lothian. IN addition, a pilot study would be carried out to determine the level of participation of the BME community in the Scottish Parliament’s committees/activities. That research aimed to raise awareness on current BME representation in the Scottish Parliament and encourage policy makers to work towards more positive actions towards BME representation.

The specific outcomes to be achieved were:

• Increase the engagement of the BME community into Public Life
• Increase representation of BME communities in the political process
• Increase awareness on barriers to engagement among key public agencies and organisations

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 Making It Work project was funded to support Scottish Association of Sign Language Interpreters (SASLI) in its work as the only government funded organisation in Scotland specifically working towards monitoring, supporting and developing the profession of sign language interpreting and associated functions, SASLI aims to broaden and develop its scope to meet legislative, demographic and societal changes. The project would focus on developing new pathways to validate skills, protecting user communities through driving up and maintaining professional standards will increase accountability to deaf and deafblind people.

The specific outcomes to be achieved were:

• Deaf people have a greater choice of appropriately skilled and registered communication support professionals, making possible effective communication and inclusive participation in daily and public life and in educational/learning environments.
• Deaf people have a greater choice of appropriately skilled and registered communication support workers, to ensure effective learning and inclusive contribution in educational/learning environments.
• Deaf and deafblind people are trained and employed to provide training to enhance skills of communication support professionals
• The SASLI Register includes a specific category to recognise deaf people who have developed life and work skills through their lives. This replaces the need of accredited qualifications to encourage recognition and value of skills gained through life and not through education pathways.

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 ‘Tackling Contemporary Racism v.2’ project was funded to enable Show Racism the Red Card to deliver four education workshops in schools and facilitate young people then attending their local football club for a ‘Challenging Racism’ and a Hate Crime Workshop delivered by Police Scotland. The organisation would also hold an Equalities Creative Competition encouraging young people to champion the Equalities strand of their choice. In addition the organisation would also hold an Annual Fortnight of Action to send a clear message that ‘we are united in our diversity’.

The specific outcomes to be achieved were:

• Young people in the educational programme will have an increased awareness of the implications of different types of racism which will result in a decrease in discriminatory behaviour exhibited toward ethnic minority communities.
• An increased awareness of racism amongst communities to challenge racist behaviour
• Decrease in use of racist language and behaviour by young people taking part in the anti-racism 'Scotland for All' Creative Competition.

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