​Hundreds of groups to get funding to help in address inequality and discrimination

Charities the length and breadth of Scotland have been awarded more than £20m Scottish Government funding in the fight against inequality and discrimination.

Some 224 projects will benefit from the cash, equalities secretary Angela Constance announced.

Large charities as well as small community projects have been successful in bidding for the cash.

The Equality Network, Inclusion Scotland and the Scottish Refugee Council wil get funding as well as projects such the LGBTI helpline and Muslim Women's Resource Centre.

Announcing the funding Constance made reference to the Orlando shootings which left 49 dead in an LGBT+ nightclub.

Scotland has made some great progress on LGBTI rights and we are considered one of the most progressive countries in Europe - Angela Constance

“This week we saw the worst targeted attack on LGBTI people that we have seen in the western world in recent times,” she said.

"Scotland has made some great progress on LGBTI rights and we are considered one of the most progressive countries in Europe in terms of LGBTI equality."

She added: "But we are not complacent - we recognise there is still work to do to eradicate prejudice and discrimination against LGBTI people.

"We are allocating over £850,000 from this budget to organisations and projects that are working towards this aim."

The Scottish government has also committed to funding of £11.8m to address violence against women and girls, with £3.5m of this to go to projects providing frontline services to victims.

"Equality is part of the aspiration and ambition we have for Scotland,” said Constance.

"No-one should be treated unfairly, suffer injustice or be denied opportunities because of their age, disability, gender, gender identity, race, religion or sexual orientation.

"Amongst the 224 projects receiving funding support this year are frontline services which are working directly with communities to address local issues."