£515,000 for anti-sectarian community projects

Nine projects will receive £515,000 for anti-sectarianism work – building on the ‘unprecedented’ investment in this area by the Scottish Government in recent years, Annabelle Ewing has announced.

The Minister for Community Safety & Legal Affairs said the new funding will help reduce and prevent sectarianism in communities by delivering education in schools and workplaces, including:

  • Teacher and youth work training
  • Engagement with online communities
  • A school pupil exchange programme to Northern Ireland’s Corrymeela community

The new initiatives build on previous Scottish Government investment – which to date has supported 108 organisations to deliver anti-sectarian education – and bring total funding for this work to £13.5 million in the past six years.

Meanwhile, acting on recommendations of the Scottish Parliament’s Justice Committee, the Minister has confirmed that Professor Duncan Morrow will chair an independent working group to look at the scope for establishing a legal definition of ‘sectarianism’ in Scots Law – potentially making it easier for police and prosecutors to tackle the issue.

Ms Ewing commented: “Sectarianism must be tackled with the same conviction as every other hate crime. Since 2012 we have delivered an unprecedented range of activities to tackle the issue across Scotland, which have made a significant impact – and this latest funding builds on these achievements.

“We have shown sustained leadership and commitment to this agenda and look forward to working with others who can positively influence the communities they serve so that we can eradicate sectarianism once and for all.

“I thank Professor Morrow for taking forward the important work to consider the legal definition of sectarianism and I look forward to the working group’s recommendations.”

Prof Duncan Morrow said: “The continuing government support for community-based projects is evidence of genuine commitment to tackle sectarian issues where they matter-in real lives. 

“I look forward now to taking this opportunity to explore the options for improving the legal basis for protecting against sectarianism.”

Representatives of three of the organisations receiving the new funding made the following comments:
Nil by Mouth Campaign Director Dave Scott said: “This record investment in our work will allow Nil by Mouth to challenge, and raise awareness of, sectarianism in workplaces and communities right across Scotland.
“Over 13,000 people from more than 100 employers have taken part in the ‘Beyond Religion & Belief’ Programme so far including almost half of Scotland’s local authorities, FTSE 100 companies, private businesses, and training providers.
“Increased investment in this and other grassroots education projects is exactly the sort of approach required to make continued progress in tackling this problem and prove that Scotland is bigger, better and bolder than bigotry.”
Mark Reid, Supporters Direct Scotland said: “We are delighted to have received continued funding towards the development and delivery of our Colours Of Our Scarves anti-sectarian project.
“Our engagement with football supporters across the country and some recent high-profile incidents enforce the fact that sectarianism remains a problem within our society and we’re therefore pleased this funding will enable us to continue to deliver our vital work with centres of higher and further education across the country, the Scottish FA’s Schools of Football and also allow for the expansion of our delivery to include provision to local sports club across Scotland.”
Mark S Adams, Director of North Kelvin Sports, said: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to both continue and expand the highly successful and popular Bridges & Barriers programme. The informal style of educational delivery in a sports environment directly supports and reinforces the formal education delivered in the classroom.”:
The projects to receive funding are: 
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davepickering

Edinburgh reporter and photographer