Equality Unit Funding 2012-15 - Equality Fund

The Equality Unit is inviting applications to the Equality Fund for 2012-15. The Equality Fund incorporates the former Race Religion & Refugee Integration Fund as well as elements of Gender Funding and Disability/BSL Funding. Allocations formerly made for work in these areas have been transferred into the new fund, therefore the funding available for each strand has not been reduced. Applications for funding of up to £100,000 will be considered.

The Equality Fund will be open for applications from any organisation for work across all equality characteristics. Themes relate to key priorities across the range of equality interests, and will be designed to ensure support is available for activity and provision across all the protected groups. Particular focus will be given to:

• Supporting activities to reduce disadvantage and inequality in employment and economic activity;
  
• Supporting measures to address hate crime and its underlying causes;
  
• Shifting focus to early intervention and prevention;
  
• Increasing the capacity of communities to engage with mainstream providers, including public and third sector, around the redesign of public services and the prevention agenda; and
  
• Supporting the effective implementation of the public sector equality duty.

We wish to focus activity on what will make a difference on the ground in tackling inequality and promoting equality. Applicants will be asked to set out their outcomes, within the context of the above themes for the Equality Fund, explain what will be delivered and how it will be measured.

All parts of the applications form must be completed. Applicants to the Equality Fund must be voluntary organisations based in Scotland, and must be incorporated and registered with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator.

Completed applications should be returned to the Equality Unit, 3H South, Victoria Quay, Edinburgh EH6 6QQ by 6 February 2012.

Click here to access the application form and other relevant documents from the Scottish Government's website.