Tag: community cohesion

New Scots Gathering puts stories at the heart of change

North Edinburgh event brings the refugee and migration sector together to explore how narrative can influence policy, public attitudes and belonging

Over 80 organisations, practitioners and community leaders from across Edinburgh and central Scotland came together at North Edinburgh Arts on Wednesday 16 September for EVOC’s 2026 ‘New Scots Gathering: Stories That Shape Change’ event.

The fully booked event explored how storytelling and narrative can influence systems and decision-making, challenge harmful narratives about migration, strengthen public understanding and support New Scots to shape the policies and services that affect their lives.

The morning plenary considered how stories can be used as a tool to influence policy and decision maker on the issues that matter to the lives of New Scots.

This was followed by four workshops giving practical case studies from across Scotland and the opportunity for participants to learn and share together.

The afternoon was led by creative voices, exploring how the sector can tell stories that are impactful and that shape public attitudes.

The Gathering was opened by Simita Kumar MSP, Minister for Equalities and International Development; Councillor Jane Meagher, Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council; and John Hawryluk, EVOC’s Service Lead.

Minister for Equalities and International Development Simita Kumar MSP said “Public services, third sector organisations and community groups play a really important role in Scotland’s warm welcome and ongoing work to support refugees and people seeking asylum.

“I am grateful for all their efforts and contributions – here in Edinburgh and further afield. This has been a hugely valuable event, underlining the importance of collaboration to the success of the New Scots approach in continuing to support refugees, people seeking asylum and communities across Scotland now and in the future.”

Councillor Jane Meagher, Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council said “I’m proud that Edinburgh remains a diverse and welcoming city. We are, after all, a city of migrants.

“Many of us are migrants or have migrants in our families. Many have lived here for generations and some of the city’s best loved institutions are thanks to those who have chosen to build their lives here.

“We all benefit from this, and our city and its culture are all the better for it – something we’re aiming to promote through our ‘Edinburgh is Our Home’ campaign.

“Unfortunately, however, with a rise in racist language, political rhetoric and hate crimes, we know that some in our communities are understandably feeling uneasy or unsafe.

“That’s why it’s more important than ever for us to come together and challenge this harmful messaging and I’m very grateful to EVOC for organising this gathering of New Scots. It was so moving and insightful to hear their stories and perspectives first hand and I’m determined to do everything I can to make sure Edinburgh remains a place where people from across the world want to call home.”

John Hawryluk, EVOC’s Service Lead commented “The stories told about migration can shape public attitudes, services and policy.

“This third edition of the Gathering created space for organisations working alongside and with New Scots to connect policy discussion with creative practice, share what they are learning and consider how we can communicate with greater purpose and care.

“Bringing people together from across Edinburgh, the Lothians and other parts of Scotland showed the value of collaboration. We want to build on these conversations and support approaches that strengthen participation, challenge harmful narratives and help create communities where everyone can belong.”

Recorded sessions from the Gathering will be shared through EVOC’s digital channels after the event. Anyone interested in the next stages of this work can sign up to EVOC’s newsletter for updates.

Scotland 2026 – who gets to belong?

FESTIVAL OF POLITICS – SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT

MONDAY 17th AUGUST 5.30 – 6.30pm

With growing polarisation, mistrust, and a sense of being left behind for many communities, how can Scotland bring diverse voices together, move from division to empathy, and ensure community voices are at the heart of decision-making?

Come along and take part in this free panel discussion at the Scottish Parliament on 17 August: https://ow.ly/zmb450Zx3oS

(featuring The artwork of Gerard M Burns)

Chair: 

Katie Hagmann MSP, Convener, Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee

Panellists:

Dr Hayley Bennett is Senior Lecturer in Social Policy at the University of Edinburgh. Her research focuses on the design and delivery of social security, labour market programmes, and anti-poverty initiatives for the working-age population in the UK.

Gerard M Burns is an artist and studied drawing and painting at the Glasgow School of Art, graduating in 1983. Burns has had a successful teaching career, leaving his post as Principle of Art at Glasgow’s St Aloysius College to focus full time on painting. He has completed commissions for a number of private and commercial collections, notably his painting The Rowan which hangs in the Scottish Parliament.

Professor Dr Nasar Meer FRSE is Professor of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Glasgow and Academic Chair of the Stuart Hall Foundation. He has been a Commissioner on the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s Post-COVID-19 Futures Inquiry, a Member of the Scottish Government COVID-19 and Ethnicity Expert Reference Group. He has previously held a Minda de Gunzburg Fellowship at Harvard University, and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, the UK Academy of Social Sciences, and a past recipient of the RSE Thomas Reid Medal.

Yuliia Hryshchenko is the founder of SCIO Music & Art Centre Nightingale. After fleeing Ukraine with her three children in 2022, she rebuilt her life in Scotland and turned her family’s journey into a mission to make arts accessible to every child.

She believes creativity can heal, build confidence and strengthen communities.

Scottish Government commits another £300,000 to support Third Sector

MORE FUNDING TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY COHESION

The Scottish Government will provide an additional £300,000 this year to support projects that build strong and resilient communities across the country.

The investment, announced by Equalities Minister Kaukab Stewart, comes on top of the £7.9 million already allocated to third sector organisations for 2025-26. This existing funding supports anti-racism work, interfaith dialogue, hate crime prevention and asylum and refugee integration projects.

The additional funding will focus on building community cohesion across a broad range of local initiatives.

Ms Stewart said: “Community organisations play a vital role in supporting integration and bringing people together through their projects.

“The additional £300,000 will help to tackle division and promote the shared values that strengthen our communities, particularly at a time when hostile rhetoric is creating fear and uncertainty.

“I have witnessed first-hand many inspiring projects recently, including the multicultural Pitch-to-Plate meal event at Hibernian Football Club. This demonstrates how local initiatives can successfully unite people from different backgrounds, cultures and faiths through shared activities and mutual support.

“We cannot and will not allow division and hostility to define us – the Scottish Government will continue to invest in building the strong, connected communities that all of us want to see.”

Standing Up For Our Community

BYSTANDER INTERVENTION WORKSHOP IN LEITH

The increase in racial/hate motivated harassment and aggression in the last few years has made it clear that we need to get better at standing up for each other.

Join us Tuesday, July 8, at St James Church (11A John’s Pl, EH6 7EL) for a co-led workshop where we will share our experiences and knowledge to build and practice the skills needed to counter racist, sexist, transphobic and ableist harassment and violence in public spaces.

Hosted by Zionism Free Leith

https://www.instagram.com/zfleith/?hl=en

Supporting community cohesion

Joint statement with STUC condemning recent disorder and racism

The First Minister and STUC General Secretary have issued a joint statement expressing solidarity with communities affected by recent disorder and racism in parts of the UK.

The joint statement follows First Minister John Swinney’s first biannual meeting with the Scottish Trades Union Congress, which took place yesterday.

The First Minister said: “Trade unions have a long and proud history of supporting those facing oppression at home and around the world and bringing communities together.

“The Scottish Government and STUC are aligned in our support of communities across the UK that have faced violence and intimidation instigated by far-right groups.

“Scotland is a diverse, multi-cultural society and this diversity strengthens us as a nation. There is no place in Scotland for hatred of any kind, and each of us has a responsibility to confront racism and religious prejudice, including Islamophobia, wherever and whenever it appears.

“I am grateful to Police Scotland for their ongoing efforts to keep communities safe and provide reassurance.” 

STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer said: “Alongside the Scottish Government, we jointly condemn the recent, inexcusable violence and disorder perpetuated by the far-right across the UK.

“Scotland is not immune and we cannot become complacent. We must do all we can to oppose the far-right, including reaching out to our faith and migrant communities to offer solidarity, support and the reassurance that they enrich the social and cultural fabric of our nation. Scotland is their home. We stand with them.

“We’re pleased the First Minister recognises the role of our movement in opposing fascism and racism. That work continues.

“We won’t cower to hatred and prejudice. We will work with the Scottish Government to ensure inclusivity, respect and tolerance triumphs over persecution and ignorance and will oppose, across every village and town, those who wish to divide us.”