The Workplace Equality Fund (WEF) is now accepting applications.
In partnership with Scottish Government, Advice Direct Scotland is administering the delivery of the WEF, which has been designed as a source of financial support for Scottish businesses and organisations striving to improve equality-related outcomes for priority groups within the workplace.
By supporting employers to address and resolve longstanding barriers facing under-represented groups within the labour market, the fund endeavours to promote and embed principles of inclusivity and fairness within Scotland’s workplaces.
Funding Amounts
Projects can apply for a maximum of £75,000 per year (ie. an overall total of £150,000 across a 2year period). However, projects requesting a value of less than £20,000 per year are unlikely to be accepted given the relative likelihood of weak impact on the priority groups.
Funded projects will operate over a period of up to 2 years, commencing in late April 2022.
Eligibility
The fund is aimed at employers – both private sector organisations and public sector organisations based in Scotland are invited to apply. To be considered, these organisations must apply with a third sector partner (eg. a registered charity); the partner should have knowledge and expertise with respect to the specific equality issue that the employer is seeking to address.
Third sector organisations – including registered charities – based in Scotland are also eligible to apply. To be considered, these organisations must partner with another organisation. The third sector organisation can partner with a private or public organisation and serve as the equality-related expert with respect to the identified priority group, or they can apply with another third sector organisation and serve as the employer striving to support priority group employees.
For all cases, applicants must be able to demonstrate that an appropriate partnership is in place with at least one other organisation. Partnerships may be newly established for the purposes of the proposed project, or they could be already established partnerships from previous work.
Deadlines
The deadline for applications to this first round of the fund is Monday 11th April.
How to Apply
To apply, please visit the dedicated WEF application page.
Completing an Application
Applications should be completed in full in a single sitting, as you will not be able to save a partially completed application and return to it later.
Instead, it is recommended that you download the application form in Microsoft Word (linked for your convenience), so you can complete the application offline and then cut and paste the completed application into the online application.
Alternatively, you can post the application and any attachments to Advice Direct Scotland at:
Workplace Equality Fund
Advice Direct Scotland
Mercantile Chambers
39-69 Bothwell Street
Glasgow
G2 6TS
Further Information
For further information on the fund, including FAQs, please visit the dedicated WEF website.
Alternatively, contact the Advice Direct Scotland team with any queries relating to the fund, or your application, by email: enquiries@equalityadvice.scot
Leave a Reply