Minister announces additional funding to tackle racism

The Minister with responsibility for Racial Equality and Race Relations, John Spellar, today announced that over £100,000 of additional funding has been made available to assist local communities tackle 'hate' crimes.

A total of 13 organisations across Northern Ireland will benefit from the additional funding which aims to play “a vital role in encouraging and supporting those, within local communities and minority ethnic communities, who are prepared and willing to take practical action, to help the integration of minority ethnic people into society”.

Mr Spellar said: “Today’s announcement provides the means for positive action to improve relations between the majority community and different minority ethnic groups.

“In addition, the fresh cash injection will encourage and increase confidence within the minority ethnic sector, by complementing existing funding arrangements.”

Two of the 13 organisations have been combined into one project, however each will receive separate funding.

The additional funding is being allocated under the Minority Ethnic Voluntary Organisations Scheme, which was first established in 2001, to support voluntary and community groups to assist in the improving of relations between different ethnic groups, including the majority community/ies.

There organisations are: Wah–Hep Chinese Community Association; Northern Ireland Council For Ethnic Minorities; Munya Tober; Traveller Movement NI (TM NI); SCA Ltd; Falls Community Council; Banbridge Regeneration Agencies Network; Community Change; Coleraine Rural And Urban Network (CRUN); Embrace; Chinese Welfare Association (CWA); Belfast Islamic Centre (BIC); and Home Start Newry And Mourne.

(MB/SP)