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 It was superseded by a revised funding programme: the current Equality and Human Rights Fund.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 ‘Equalities in Advice’ project was funded to contribute to reducing discrimination against people with protected characteristics by widening access to advice and support. Dundee Citizens Advice Bureau (DCAB) would continue with and develop further targeted out-reach advice clinics in partner agencies that provide services in Dundee for people with protected characteristics such as older persons, people with a disability or long-term health condition, people with mental health issues, and minority ethnic people. As well as out-reach clinics home visits would be offered to people unable to access the main Bureau or out-reach clinics because of a physical or mental health issue. Information, advice and support and where appropriate representation would be provided on any issue, so that people are more informed of their rights and responsibilities, thus enabling them to engage more fully in civic society.

Advice Support Workers told staff the out-reach clinics which would be provided through both open door drop-in or appointments. Home visits would be arranged to suit the person seeking advice. Staff of partner agencies would signpost or refer users of their services to the out-reach or home-visiting advice service. Individuals would also be able to access the service directly without being signposted or referred in.

The specific outcomes to be achieved were:

• There will be improved access to advice, support and assistance to people with protected characteristics which will assist them to fully engage in civic society
• There will be an improvement in partner agencies ability to meet the wider needs of their service 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 Action on Prejudice project was funded to enable Youthlink Scotland to develop and build a new national interactive platform called ‘Action on Prejudice’. This would be based on the ‘Action on Sectarianism’ model, adopting an assets-based approach, drawing together the wealth of content created by young people, adults, community groups and practitioners tackling prejudice and discrimination in their community. The central online presence would challenge hate crime, promote intersectionality and ensure a joined-up approach.

The specific outcomes to be achieved were:

• People and communities are better informed about prejudice, the protected characteristics and hate behaviour and the work taking place to tackle it.
• Practitioners have improved access to a wide range of resources to tackle prejudice and can adapt these to better reduce barriers to participation.
• Young people and communities are engaged in online discussion about prejudice, the protected characteristics and what can be done to prevent prejudice and hate crime.

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 Central Scotland Regional Equality Council (CSREC) “Equality in the Community” project was funded to reduce the negative effects of inequality, hate and marginalisation experienced by individuals and groups of Minority Ethnic and Refugee backgrounds; Disabled people and LGBTI people living and working in Central Scotland. The project would take an intersectional approach and would address the challenges faced by those with multiple protected characteristics.

The project was intended to play a supportive role in building the capacity of those community members and community groups to engage with the wider public to enhance community cohesion and prevent incidents of hate crime and discrimination; increase confidence in reporting and reduce barriers to reporting hate crime. The project will engage with local community groups to discuss and address their experiences and concerns and liaison between them and partner public and third sector agencies to ensure that practical solutions are developed and delivered.

To achieve these aims, the project would through its support and advice service and the people’s forums facilitate greater participation in public life and engagement with public authorities and address issues of discrimination, exclusion and hate crime; it would organise events and awareness sessions on hate crime and how it can be challenged by those affected; it would organise community events to facilitate greater community cohesion with particular focus on fighting rising Islamophobia, anti-immigration sentiment and its impact on communities in Central Scotland. It would also help equality community groups to capacity build to organise and achieve their aims and objectives.

The specific outcomes to be achieved were:

• Individuals from Minority Ethnic communities, LGBTI persons and those with disabilities will experience less discrimination and will have reduced barriers to participation in civil society
• Individuals from Minority Ethnic communities, LGBTI persons and those with disabilities will be more aware of hate crime legislation, their rights as victims and will develop the ability to challenge and respond effectively to hate crime against themselves and in the wider community
• Members of Minority Ethnic communities, LGBTI persons and those with disabilities will be more organised and collectively and individually contribute to development of services and feel a part of Scottish society.

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 Women in the Highlands project was funded to support the Workers Education Association (WEA) to lay the foundations for five self-governing and sustainable groups for women in the Highlands. Through the founding of these groups, women would be encouraged and empowered to participate in and engage with services and civic society. Links to the Women’s Equality Steering group via a Highland satellite cluster would lead to increased community cohesion and recognition.

The specific outcomes to be achieved were:

• Women in the Highlands will be encouraged and empowered to participate in and engage with services and civic society.
• Women expressing an interest in becoming leaders will be supported and have increased access to development opportunities.
• Five self-governing and sustainable women’s groups will be established in the Highlands.

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 Empowering, Engaging, and Connecting Diverse Communities project was funded to support the Scottish Council of Jewish Communities (SCOJEC) to improve understanding by providing public bodies and others with evidence about matters that affect Jewish people, and promoting accurate education about Jews and Judaism; and to build capacity of Jewish people by engaging them through networks, newsletters, events, mutual support, to improve resilience to hate crime, increase confidence, safety, and involvement in Scottish society. As well as to expand volunteering and empower minority communities to engage in civic society.

The specific outcomes to be achieved were:

• Improved community cohesion and safety: people with Jewish heritage feel better supported, networks are strengthened, people feel better able and more confident in reporting antisemitic hate crime, and the Jewish Community as a whole is more cohesive and resilient.
• Education and community cohesion: accurate, authoritative, and engaging educational materials about Jews, Judaism, and the Jewish Community are available for schools, teachers, and community groups; and accurate information is provided for, and accessed by, government, public authorities, other communities and the media.
• Participation and representation: Minority communities will be better informed about policy matters and better able to engage effectively with public bodies, including Government, in order to tackle racism and inequality, promote the rights and political empowerment of those communities to influence policy and service delivery, and to support the effective implementation of the public sector equality duty. Since evident that the resource is produced by a Jewish organisation, it will also engender positive feelings towards the Jewish community, and thus contribute to improved community relations and a reduction in antisemitic attitudes.

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 “Hearts of Govanhill” project was funded to enable the organisation to build on relationships with local people and knowledge of the context which has proven effective in addressing longstanding and emergent tensions between different social groups in the Govanhill area through community interventions that build bridging (social) capital.

The 3 main strands of Hearts of Govanhill were:

• Understanding Each Other (UEO) – a schools outreach project, which by building on links already made with local primary schools would be developed in collaboration and delivered with a focus on Hate Crime;
• Feel Good Women’s Group (FGWG) – continuing the group and related development activities, as a space for women to increase physical and mental health and gain peer support, eventually working towards a dedicated women’s centre space;
• Work with the Roma community – continue to build the capacity of the local Roma community, with a move towards issue-based citizen advocacy to deal with shared issues, the popular Tuesday Evening Drop-in, and developing the activity of the Baking Group.

Additionally, they would continue with:

• Streetwork – a community engagement project;
• Community events – providing opportunities for locals of different cultural backgrounds to come together through shared interest;
• One-to-one support to vulnerable individuals.

The specific outcomes to be achieved were:

• Local people from ethnically diverse and deprived areas of Govanhill experience fewer barriers and more opportunities to participate in local life.
• People in Govanhill have increased awareness of Hate Crime and the impact of discrimination and experience less discrimination as a result.
• Local people with protected characteristics have increased opportunities to build relationships of trust with others.

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

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 Professional Online Training in Specialist Interpreting and Working with Deaf People project was funded to support Queen Margaret University to improve access to public services and remove barriers to participation experienced by Deaf people. The intention was to develop online modules at postgraduate level for two key audiences: (a) BSL/English interpreters wishing to advance their practice in specialist areas of interpreting; (b) professionals working with Deaf people in diverse settings, who require a deeper understanding than is currently available through generic BSL awareness sessions.

The specific outcomes to be achieved were:

• Improved competence of BSL/English interpreters working with Deaf BSL users in specialist domains of work (eg healthcare, mental health, legal, education, the arts)
• Improved competence in professionals working with Deaf BSL users ensuring that the needs of this population are better understood and addressed

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

(a) Good Community Relations

The Good Community Relations Project (GCRP) was funded to enable to WSREC to continue to undertake work to; reduce barriers to discrimination by offering advice and information to European and other migrant communities; increase awareness of hate crime legislation and support victims of hate crime in the West of Scotland; and balance representation of minority ethnic groups in Renfrewshire in all aspects of life including education, employment, social and civic integration.

Using a combination of awareness raising at a wider level, tailored group support and indepth one to one empowering WSREC would continue to ensure its activities worked towards the advance of equal opportunities and building resilient communities by offering person/group centred activities to diverse minority ethnic communities.

The specific outcomes to be achieved were:

• European and other migrant communities in the West of Scotland have increased their opportunities by challenging negative service and social issues reducing discrimination and isolation.
• Minority ethnic communities in the West of Scotland are of aware of and challenging hate crime and discriminatory practice.
• Minority Ethnic Communities in Renfrewshire are visible, integrated and represented in the fabric of society

(b) Living Equality project.

The Living Equality project was funded to support WSREC to address inequalities and support people and communities to engage and participate with both services and civic society. Work would be undertaken across the West of Scotland, focusing in Glasgow and other local areas, to support; increasing equal opportunities for diverse minority ethnic women, introducing them to mainstream services, civic life and engage in inter-cultural dialogue; creating a platform for dialogue, skills development and raise awareness of the democratic process; establishing a collective voice from disadvantaged communities with additional barriers of falling under multiple characteristics; and supporting public, voluntary and community organisations gain insight and access to women ready to participate in civic life.

The specific outcomes to be achieved were:

• Diverse minority ethnic women across all 'protected characteristics' in the West of Scotland have increased opportunities to access democratic processes and civic life.
• Diverse minority ethnic women across all ‘protected characteristics’ in the West of Scotland have increased confidence in being part of civic and democratic processes.
• Through mainstreaming equalities; Public, Voluntary and Community Organisations across urban and rural areas improve opportunities for minority ethnic women to contribute to civic 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