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 It was superseded by a revised funding programme: the current Equality and Human Rights Fund.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 It was superseded by a revised funding programme: the current Equality and Human Rights Fund.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

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

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

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 Helping Survivors of Torture to Recover and Integrate in Society project was funded to enable Freedom from Torture help survivors of torture to overcome severe trauma and experience improved mental health, build supportive social networks within local communities in Glasgow and successfully integrate with society through a community engagement project entitled “Healing Neighbourhoods”. The majority of clients would be asylum seekers and refugees, and those with families, who have experienced or witnessed torture, rape and sexual violence, and who experience marginalisation and inequality.

The specific outcomes to be achieved were:

• Increased capacity for Survivors of Torture to improve mental health and well-being by accessing psychological and welfare support to engage in a process of rehabilitation.
• Survivors of torture and local community members are supported in their rehabilitation and empowered to integrate into society through increased social connections and community 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 “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

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

(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 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

Sanofi’s VidPrevtyn has not been used in the Scottish Vaccination Programme since winter 2023-24, and is no longer available in the UK. The withdrawal was at the request of the marketing authorisation holder, Sanofi Pasteur, which notified the European Commission of its decision to permanently discontinue the marketing of the product for commercial reasons.

It remains Scottish Government policy that Health Boards must make non-mRNA COVID-19 vaccines available to those individuals who are contraindicated to, or allergic to, mRNA vaccines. However, trometamol is used in the manufacture of some vaccines, including the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines and at present there are no non-mRNA products authorised for use in the UK by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) available for purchase. Health Boards have contacted all individuals affected to explain the situation.

National Services Scotland (NSS) National Procurement team will continue to monitor the non-mRNA market position to see if any non-mRNA options become available for future COVID-19 vaccination programmes.