Raymond Robertson announces £179,600 ethnic minority grants
Positive Action in Housing was one of four voluntary organisations to receive a grant from the Ethnic Minority Grant Scheme, in an announcement made by Mr Raymond Robertson MP, Minister at The Scottish Office with responsibility for ethnic minorities.
Mr Robertson said: "As in previous years the Ethnic Minority Grant Scheme has attracted an excellent response from a wide range of organisations within the voluntary sector. I am pleased to announce the award of funding to four projects in the fourth round of the Scheme.
"The four successful applications cover a wide range of ethnic groups. They provide for activity on housing, an advice and information centre and 24 hour helpline for African Caribbean groups, training for employment, and support for Chinese carers and development of a respite care service."
The successful projects are: Positive Action in Housing A grant of GBP 29,700 spread over 2 years towards the cost of a project to work with communities and housing providers to enable everyone to have an equal chance to live in good quality, safe housing free from discrimination and harassment. The project will cover Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee and Aberdeen.
YMCA African-Caribbean Advisory Service A grant of GBP 50,000 spread over two years towards the cost of a project to establish a centre for counselling, advice and information and a 24-hour helpline. The centre will be located in Glasgow but will provide a service to the whole of Scotland.
Ethnic Minority Enterprise Centre A grant of GBP 49,900 spread over two years towards the cost of a project to provide a computer training unit for ethnic minority groups in Glasgow.
Edinburgh Chinese Elderly Support Group A grant of GBP 50,000 spread over two years towards the cost of a project to provide a respite care service and support and training for Chinese carers throughout Lothian Region.
NOTES TO NEWS EDITORS 1. This is the fourth round of the Ethnic Minority Grant Scheme which began in 1992 and has a budget of GBP 200,000 per annum.
2. Funding is available to voluntary organisations in Scotland for projects designed to reduce racial disadvantage and promote racial equality. Grants are awarded on a competitive basis with a ceiling of GBP 25,000 per annum for a maximum of two years on each project.
3. As in previous years there has been a great deal of interest in the Scheme and 40 applications were received covering a wide variety of projects.