£3 million to tackle sectarianism at local levels
Charities and community projects in Scotland have been awarded a share of £3 million to tackle sectarianism.
An initial 38 groups including Nil by Mouth, Sense Over Sectarianism and Show Bigotry the Red Card will receive £2.3m from the Scottish Government, with £700,000 to be allocated at a later date.
Announcing the fund minister for community safety and legal affairs, Paul Wheelhouse said discrimination and prejudice does not belong in 21st century Scotland.
“It is never acceptable and it will not be tolerated,” he said.
“We welcome the fact that religiously aggravated offending is falling and is now at its lowest level in a decade – last year alone there was a 15% decrease. However we will continue to do all that we can to address the issue of sectarianism in Scotland.”
No one should have to face discrimination or prejudice in any form in 21st century Scotland. It is never acceptable and it will not be tolerated.
Over the past three years the Scottish Government has invested £9m into tackling sectarianism but The Scottish Social Attitudes Survey 2014, released earlier this year, revealed 88% of people still think sectarianism is a problem in the country.
However, of those surveyed 69% said it is only a problem in Glasgow and the west of Scotland. The majority, 88% said football was the main cause of sectarianism.
Wheelhouse added: “Communities are at the heart of our work to tackle sectarianism and that is why we have committed a further £3m to support this agenda and to continue to work with, and in, local communities to tackle this issue in the most appropriate way.
“We are confident that these projects will help us to continue to reduce sectarian attitudes and behaviours and help to finally rid Scotland of the prejudices of the past.”
The biggest recipient from the fund on this occasion is the In Wi’ The Mix partnership project run by Faith in Community Scotland, Conforti Institute and Place for Hope.
It was awarded £233,776 for its work with catholic and reformed churches and other community groups which looks at ways to tackle sectarianism locally in Glasgow, North Lanarkshire, Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway.
