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 It was superseded by a revised funding programme: the current Equality and Human Rights Fund.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

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 It was superseded by a revised funding programme: the current Equality and Human Rights Fund.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 “STAR Project” was funded to provide emergency humanitarian and integration assistance to vulnerable asylum seekers in Glasgow. There were three aspects to the work:

1. Providing asylum support to individuals facing immediate crisis (particularly destitution) coming through our Triage clinic.

2. Providing more in-depth and specialist casework support and advocacy

3. Gathering an effective evidence base

The specific outcomes to be achieved were:

• The impact of crisis facing individual asylum seekers will be mitigated, enabling people to experience fewer barriers to participation
• Information will be collected and shared, and key advocacy points developed, to work together with other key stakeholders towards a longer term solution

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 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

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.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-38258 on 18 June 2025. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

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 “Lessons from Srebrenica” project was funded to enable 90 delegates of influential Scots and Community leaders to be taken to Bosnia over 3 years to participate in the programme for the following purposes:

• Promote improved awareness of hate crime and intolerance by marking the Srebrenica Genocide at a number of high profile annual events
• “Lessons from Srebrenica” visits will enable delegates to Bosnia to more effectively challenge hate crime and promote increased community cohesion in Scotland Lessons
• Increase public awareness of the Srebrenica Genocide in order to promote tolerance and build better community relations in Scotland, in particular through an active Schools Engagement programme.

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.pdfFinal Progress Update

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 Interfaith Glasgow project was funded to support Interfaith Glasgow to improve community cohesion, reduce the ignorance and prejudice that leads to discrimination and hate crime, and increase civic participation. This would be done by organising activities and events that promote friendship, encourage cooperation and provide opportunities for dialogue to occur between people of all faith and belief traditions. Interfaith Glasgow would also continue to build relationships with different faith communities and wider civic society to make Glasgow a safer, more harmonious city for all.

The specific outcomes to be achieved were:

• Glasgow’s religious diversity is valued and there is increased social interaction, communication, and friendship between people of different religions and beliefs
• People of different religions and beliefs have developed greater mutual understanding and respect through focused dialogue activities challenging ignorance, prejudice, and misconceptions
• People of different religions and beliefs are working cooperatively with each other and engaging in civic society to address inequalities

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 Men in Childcare project was funded to support national media advertising of college based SQA certificated training courses, that would help encourage men to consider childcare as a career. It would support the offer of SQA level 6 qualifications to encourage better parenting and an awareness of the importance of Play and Child Development. Through HNC qualification the number of men working in Early Years settings would increase, providing a more gender balanced workplace. The project would also promote the importance of fathers’ involvement with their child from birth.

The specific outcomes to be achieved were:

• Men in Childcare will increase the number of men entering the childcare workforce, by recruiting male students to a free of charge College based SQA Certificated Training Course.
• Men in Childcare to advise a network of employers in the Early Years Sector on positive effect gender balance in the workforce
• Men in Childcare will promote awareness of the need for more Father friendly Early Years environments throughout Scotland, in keeping with the National Parenting Strategy and the principles of Getting it Rights for Every Child (GIRFEC)

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 Highland Equality and Fair Work in Action Project was funded to provide a local specialist “Equality and Employment Rights Advice and Representation Service” to empower workers in the Highlands who (due to having a protected characteristic and in particular a disability) may suffer unlawful discrimination and/or disadvantage when their rights are breached which will reduce barriers to justice; reduce discrimination and inequality; will promote early intervention; increase in ‘fair work’ practice; increase cohesion/community participation and progress social policy issues.

The specific outcome to be achieved was:

• 1600 Highland workers who (due to having a protected characteristic – mostly notably those who have a disability) suffer unlawful discrimination or related breaches of their equality/employment rights will have improved access to a local specialist advice and representation service which will advise of their individual rights and options and improve access to justice in order to reduce discrimination; reduce disadvantage; increase fair work and reduce barriers to 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 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