31 March 2008
The Equality and Human Rights Commission is announcing its first grants programme today - awarding nearly £1 million worth of funding to Scottish organisations.
Organisations across Scotland, from Glasgow to Dundee, Inverclyde to Inverness will benefit from this year's grants programme.
From law centres, race equality councils, children's and women's rights organisations, to disability rights groups the Commission is supporting organisations that work across a range of equality and human rights issues. Funding has been awarded in three priority areas: encouraging good relations, promoting equality and human rights and supporting the development of legal cases that help people get a fair deal. Successful applicants demonstrated they had the ability to deliver change in their local communities.
Morag Alexander, Scotland Commissioner and member of the Grants Committee of the Equality and Human Rights Commission said:
"This is about helping those organisations that make a real difference at local level. They have both the knowledge and expertise to bring real benefits to their local communities. Through our unique grants programme we can ensure that we enable long term change and innovative practice with the aim of creating a society built on fairness and respect. Support for organisations such as these is critical if we are to succeed in creating an ambitious, confident and fair Scotland.
The Commission is also announcing today a Capacity Development Programme to help local organisations develop the services they provide for the public. The programme will look to plug the gaps in funding and service provision particularly in less well established areas of work relating to age, sexual orientation, religion and human rights.
The 2008/2009 funding announced today is the result of the Commission’s interim grants programme following the launch of the organisation in October 2007. The Commission will now begin work on its longer term grants strategy for 2008/9 and beyond, speaking to organisations across the country about how to work in partnership. The call for applications for the next grants programme is expected in late 2008.
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Notes to editors
Organisations who want to register interest in the grants programme consultation should email: grantsconsultation@equalityhumanrights.com
Section 17 of the Equality Act 2006 allows the Equality and Human Rights Commission to give financial assistance to organisations concerned with promoting equality and diversity, good relations and human rights.
For 2008/09, an interim grants programme has been made available which will provide access to financial support for eligible organisations.
A list of organisations offered funding under the 2008/09 interim grants programme is available on our website: www.equalityhuamanrights.com/grants
The Equality and Human Rights Commission is a statutory body established under the Equality Act 2006, which took over the responsibilities of Commission for Racial Equality, Disability Rights Commission and Equal Opportunities Commission.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission is the independent advocate for equality and human rights in Britain. It aims to reduce inequality, eliminate discrimination, strengthen good relations between people, and promote and protect human rights.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission will enforce equality legislation on age, disability, gender, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation or transgender status, and encourage compliance with the Human Rights Act. It will also give advice and guidance to businesses, the voluntary and public sectors, and to individuals.
For more information contact the Equality and Human Rights Commission 0141 228 5910/07970541369