Further action to tackle sectarianism - Government World Magazine

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.

The new funding will help reduce and prevent sectarianism in communities by delivering education in schools and workplaces. 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.

Representatives of three of the organisations receiving the new funding made the following comments in response:

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.”

You can find out more about the nine funded organisations by clicking on the links to their websites below:

Bridging the Gap – £25,000
Nil by Mouth – £95,000
North Kelvin Sports Development Group – £25,000
Sacro – £65,000
Sense Over Sectarianism – £85,000
Supporters Direct Scotland – £75,000
Youth Scotland – £60,000
Youthlink Scotland – £60,000
West of Scotland Regional Equality Council – £25,000

The funding was announced by Minister for Community Safety & Legal Affairs Annabelle Ewing, who also announced the appointment of Professor Duncan Morrow to chair an independent working group to look at defining the term ‘sectarianism’ within Scots law, potentially making it easier for police and prosecutors to tackle sectarian behaviour. the move is in response to the recommendations of the Scottish Parliament’s Justice Committee.

Read more on the main Scottish Government website.

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