The Voluntary Action Fund (VAF) is a grant making organisation and is responsible for managing the Tackling Sectarianism grant programme on behalf of the Scottish Government’s Community Safety Unit.  In addition to this VAF provides development support to funded projects to ensure they are able to demonstrate the difference they make.

VAF also manages a Tackling Sectarianism Small Grant Programme which is aimed at community and faith based organisations with an income of less than £250,000 per year.  Groups can apply for grants of up to £10,000.  Some funding is also available to larger organisations who have local projects or branches with turnover of less than £250k. You should speak to VAF in the first instance to establish eligibility before bringing forward an application.

Groups can also submit joint applications for up to £20,000, again you should contact VAF  before applying. Full details can be obtained from VAF’s website here.

 The Community Safety Team at VAF is managed by Bill Weir and consists of 2 Development Officers - Amy Hickman and Heather Wilkins, and 2 PT Programme Administrators – Irene Glasgow and Anne Kilgour. 

The Small Grant Programme is managed by Patrick Mbullu, with one Development Officer - Clare McVeigh.

Definition of Sectarianism

Advisory Group on Tackling Sectarianism in Scotland Definition

Sectarianism in Scotland is a complex of perceptions, attitudes, beliefs, actions and structures, at personal and communal levels, which originate in religious difference and can involve a negative mixing of religion with politics, sporting allegiance and national identifications. It arises from a distorted expression of identity and belonging. It is expressed in destructive patterns of relating which segregate, exclude, discriminate against or are violent towards a specified religious other with significant personal and social consequences. ‘Taken from Independent Advisory Group Report 2013’

Resources

VAF has produced a Directory of Tackling Sectarianism projects which are funded through the Scottish Government. This is now published and available in the AoS Library.  VAF is also organising and facilitating a series of training, development and networking events to support funded projects.

VAF worked with a range of funded projects and Graeme Reekie, from Wren and Greyhound, to develop a ‘Guide to understanding the impact of work to tackle intra-Christian sectarianism’. The purpose of this document ‘Scotland: No Place For Sectarianism’  was to help funded projects understand how they contribute to effective policy and practice.

Name:                  Bill Weir

Address:              Suite 3 Forth House

                            Burnside Business Court

                             North Road

                             Inverkeithing

                             KY11 1NZ

Website:             www.voluntaryactionfund.org.uk/

Telephone:        01383 620780

Email:                   This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.