- Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
-
Date lodged: Thursday, 05 June 2025
-
Current Status:
Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 18 June 2025
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason £148,750 was provided to Linknet between 2017-18 and 2020-21 as part of the Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund; what this funding was used for, and what the outcomes were of the Mentoring and Training in Edinburgh and the Lothians project.
Answer
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 It was superseded by a revised funding programme: the current Equality and Human Rights Fund.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 Mentoring and Training in Edinburgh and the Lothians project was funded to support LINKnet to take forward work to eliminate/ reduce inequality and disadvantage of minority ethnic people, to foster integration and understanding between communities, to tackle disadvantages and to promote equality. The project was designed to increase representation of minority ethnic people in employment, education and civic engagements in Scotland. In addition, it aimed to address isolation and loneliness among minority ethnic people, particularly recent migrants, which prevents them from achieving personal development goals related to education and employment.
The specific outcomes to be achieved were:
- Minority Ethnic (ME) participants of the ‘Mentoring and Training’ project will have improved knowledge, confidence and ability on job searching, CV writing, application-form filling, interviews and making presentations. As a result, clients furthest from the labour market will improve their options and increased numbers of those excluded from mainstream provision will move along the 'pipeline' into volunteering, education, training and employment
- Minority ethnic service users will have improved English language skills, self confidence, self esteem and the improved ability to seek employment, education opportunities or to take part in the activities of British society and benefit from those activities and will have new social contacts and wider community cohesion.
- Minority Ethnic people will have improved work experience, developed work related skills and enhanced employability
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
- Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
-
Date lodged: Thursday, 05 June 2025
-
Current Status:
Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 18 June 2025
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason £212,500 was provided to Show Racism the Red Card between 2017-18 and 2020-21 as part of the Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund; what this funding was used for, and what the outcomes were of the Tackling Contemporary Racism v.2 project.
Answer
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
- Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
-
Date lodged: Thursday, 05 June 2025
-
Current Status:
Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 18 June 2025
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason £165,750 was provided to Friends of Romano Lav between 2017-18 and 2020-21 as part of the Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund; what this funding was used for, and what the outcomes were of the Roma Opportunities Project.
Answer
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 Roma Opportunities Project was funded to continue to increase the capacity of the various Roma communities in Glasgow, particularly focussing on young Roma people. The project would provide peer education training and opportunities for Roma young people and would deliver activities designed to promote Roma self-confidence and self-esteem, increase knowledge of local and national services and socio-political structures, and challenge negative perceptions.
The specific outcomes to be achieved were:
- Roma youth increased confidence and self-esteem; and develop the skills they need to support their communities. Discrimination faced by Roma people is reduced and the intercultural dialogue is promoted
- Roma youth increased their knowledge of the local and national services and socio-political structures and youth members of Friends of Romano Lav are more active in community and social political debates
- Roma and non-Roma people increase a more positive sense of Roma identity and culture. Roma youth increase their social media skills to better represent Roma communities and challenging negative representations
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
- Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
-
Date lodged: Thursday, 05 June 2025
-
Current Status:
Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 18 June 2025
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason £80,750 was provided to Multi-Cultural Family Base between 2017-18 and 2020-21 as part of the Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund; what this funding was used for, and what the outcomes were of the 4Corners Project.
Answer
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 4Corners project was funded to support work with children aged 8-16 and their families through one-to-one, group work and parent support. The project aimed to promote vulnerable and disadvantaged Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) children’s participation and engagement in the life of their school and community. The majority of the children would be new migrants, refugees and asylum seekers. The group would work in primary schools will include both BME and White Scottish children and would focus on integration and social cohesion.
The specific outcomes to be achieved were:
- Refugees living in Scotland are active advocates for mental health and wellbeing both locally and nationally
- Local and national health and civic society agencies are engaged in refugee led prevention and support approaches to service planning and provision
- Statements and dialogues on mental health and wellbeing are being initiated and led by refugees in places and spaces across Scotland
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
- Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
-
Date lodged: Thursday, 05 June 2025
-
Current Status:
Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 18 June 2025
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason £297,500 was provided to Glasgow North West Citizen Advice Service between 2017-18 and 2020-21 as part of the Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund; what this funding was used for, and what the outcomes were of the Equalities Project.
Answer
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
- Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
-
Date lodged: Thursday, 05 June 2025
-
Current Status:
Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 18 June 2025
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason £102,000 was provided to Hidden Gardens between 2017-18 and 2020-21 as part of the Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund; what this funding was used for, and what the outcomes were of the Community Development and Cultural Programme project.
Answer
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 Community Development and Cultural Programme project was funded to support creation of new, and development of existing projects within Hidden Gardens’ Community Development & Cultural Programme, for people with protected characteristics to: engage in intercultural dialogue; learn skills; reduce inequality; increase resilience and promote community cohesion & societal engagement.
The specific outcomes to be achieved were:
- To deepen connection between peoples of all cultures, faiths, backgrounds and abilities - this outcome underpins everything we do at the Hidden Gardens. Through engaging in shared activities, people will have an understanding and appreciation of other cultures, faiths, backgrounds and abilities, thereby developing safe and stable relationships between communities.
- Improve Learning and Participation, thereby reducing disadvantage and inequality 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
- Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
-
Date lodged: Thursday, 05 June 2025
-
Current Status:
Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 18 June 2025
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason £425,000 was provided to Ethnic Minorities Law Centre between 2017-18 and 2020-21 as part of the Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund; what this funding was used for, and what the outcomes were of the (a) Edinburgh and (b) Highland project.
Answer
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 Ethnic Minorities Law Centre was funded to support the provision of a culturally sensitive legal advice and representation service for people from Minority Ethnic communities in Edinburgh and the Highland region, respectively. The project would deliver a range of specialist client centred services that would be targeted towards individuals and families from Minority Ethnic communities, and existing advice agencies and local organisations in those areas.
The specific outcomes to be achieved were:
- The project will continue to work diligently towards the elimination and abatement of all forms of discrimination which impacts on the lives of the Minority Ethnic population through legal representation, advice, information and education so that barriers to participation are reduced.
- The project will support minority ethnic people and communities to participate in and engage with services and civic society ensuring that they contribution is recognised and community cohesion is increased.
- The project will work to address current imbalances in representation in all aspects and levels of public life including education and employment to better reflect our communities. The project provide access to information, advice and representation.
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
- Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
-
Date lodged: Thursday, 05 June 2025
-
Current Status:
Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 18 June 2025
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason £42,500 was provided to Community Info Source between 2017-18 and 2020-21 as part of the Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund; what this funding was used for, and what the outcomes were of the Women Asylum Seeker Housing Project (WASH) project.
Answer
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
- Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
-
Date lodged: Thursday, 05 June 2025
-
Current Status:
Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 18 June 2025
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason £85,000 was provided to SCOREScotland between 2017-18 and 2020-21 as part of the Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund; what this funding was used for, and what the outcomes were of the Local CommUNITY Voices project.
Answer
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
- Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
-
Date lodged: Thursday, 05 June 2025
-
Current Status:
Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 18 June 2025
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason £106,250 was provided to Grampian Regional Equality Council Ltd between 2017-18 and 2020-21 as part of the Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund; what this funding was used for, and what the outcomes were of the Tackling Economic Barriers and Community Cohesion project.
Answer
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