Payments and funding made to Muslim organisations: FOI release

Information request and response under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002


Information requested

Question regarding grants, donations, cash advances, loans or any other transfer of cash by ScotGov to Muslim organisations, religious or otherwise based in Scotland.

Please can you confirm the number and size/magnitude of payments made by ScotGov to Muslim organisations from 2020 to date.

Response

I enclose the majority of the information you requested in the form of a link to the Scottish Government’s spend for monies issued over the sum of £25,000: This is detailed in a monthly report format. It is also worth noting, this information is readily available in the public domain. You can view the information here Government spend over £25,000: monthly reports - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

You can also find further payments provided on the Equality, inclusion and HR fund page, which you can view via this link Equality and Human Rights Fund: projects funded - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) and Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund, details are available online Equality funding: Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund 2017-2021 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Our aim is to provide information wherever possible. However, due to the wide scope of your question we may not have been able to identify and provide some of the information you require because an exemption(s) under Section 12 (Cost Limit) of FOISA applies to that information. The reason why that exemption applies is explained below;

  • The search criteria identified a number of documents that may or may not be in scope, therefore, exceeded the cost threshold.
  • A call across Scottish Government for a search of personal folders of all staff has also in some circumstances exceed the cost threshold.

However, in addition to the data already published, we can provide the following information in relation to your question.

Organisation

Purpose

Amount

Cashback for Communities Phase 5, Youthlink Scotland/Yusuf Youth Initiative

Under the Phase 5 of Cashback for Communities scheme made a grant to Youthlink Scotland. Part of the funding enabled Youthlink to make grants to smaller community organisations. Youthlink annual reports include a list of onward funding under the scheme. Yusuf Youth Initiative, Yusuf Youth Initiative (yyi.org.uk) was funded in 20/21 and 22/23. The annual report for 20/21 is no longer on the Youthlink web page, but the link to 22/23 funding is provided here. Youthlink annual report 22/23

20/21 - £2,500 

22/23 - £4,000 

Both in Dundee City Council area.

Scottish Police Muslim Association

Funding has been provided to the Scottish Police Muslim Association with a grant in recognition of its role of supporting Muslim Police officers and staff and existing as a bridge between the Police service and Muslim communities.

2020/2021 0

2021/2022 20,000

2022/2023 20,000

2023/ to date 15,000

Islamic Relief

Humanitarian Support for Horn of Africa

£125,000

Islamic Relief

Humanitarian Support for Libya

£125,000

Al Masaar SCIO

Funding through the National Voluntary Youth Organisation Support (NYVOS) Fund in 2022/23 which was administered by YouthLink Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government. The fund supported voluntary sector youth work organisations to improve and offer high quality youth opportunities that meet the needs of young people in Scotland.

Funding supported youth work undertaken by Al Masaar SCIO, which was geared towards Muslim and Non-Muslim Communities of Colour, targeted three categories: Disabled, Racialised & Low- Income youth from 7 to 18 years in the Forth Valley. Outcomes for the funding included:

Improved recruitment/engagement and development of volunteers;

Increased access to essential workforce development opportunities for paid staff and/or volunteers;

Increased access to leadership development opportunities for senior managers and/or senior volunteers;

Enhanced capacity of youth work organisations, staff and volunteers to reach and support young people with protected characteristics.

£6,308

Al-Farooq Education and Community Centre

To provide an enhanced food bank service which will include delivering food to vulnerable people, self-isolating and the elderly with pre-existing medical conditions in Govanhill, Crosshill and Queens Park.

£9,040

Edinburgh Central Mosque

For the delivery of virtual sermons and to engage with the mosque's

congregation during the pandemic.

£500

Solas Foundation

For the national iSyllabus programme to connect with and support Muslim communities throughout the Covid-19 lockdown period, which is likely to cover Ramadan, by setting up a Ramadan Virtual Hub to provide online content for Muslim communities across Scotland from 10 April to 12 June.

£59,000

Hate Crime Security Fund

Grants provided to Muslim places of worship and community premises through our Hate Crime Security Fund.

£187,362.59

Organisations are often not categorised specifically by faith, and therefore we have provided information where it appears that the organisation may be connected to Muslim communities. If you require further information, you may consider sending a more specific request.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.

Contact

Please quote the FOI reference
Central Enquiry Unit
Email: ceu@gov.scot
Phone: 0300 244 4000

The Scottish Government
St Andrews House
Regent Road
Edinburgh
EH1 3DG

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