Faith, Race and Hate Crime Grants scheme announces £287,000 grant to EFL Trust Club Community Organisations
The EFL Trust are delighted to announce that ‘Communities United’ will be one of 9 projects that will be funded as part of the government’s Faith, Race and Hate Crime Grants scheme.
The scheme supports organisations that tackle discrimination and champion social cohesion and will be delivered by 6 EFL Trust Club Community Organisations in the North West: Oldham Athletic, Rochdale, Salford City, Preston North End, Blackburn Rovers and Bolton Wanderers.
The Faith, Race and Hate Crime Grants scheme invited established community groups and civil society organisations across England to apply for funding for projects that champion the government’s commitment to building a diverse and tolerant society for all faiths and races.
A grant of £287,000 will be given to the EFL Trust’s ‘Communities United’ project. The project will bring families from different backgrounds together, increasing understanding and awareness of social and cultural differences, challenging stereotypes and uniting them through common interests and social action.
The grants will address existing community issues, as well as pressures increased by the pandemic, such as isolation.
Faith Minister Lord Greenhalgh said:
“In this country we believe in freedom within the rule of law. We are all free to love and not to hate. This government will not tolerate hate towards anyone because of who they are.
We stand full square in support of all communities that suffer from prejudice and discrimination and we must build a shared future in this country.
The pandemic has hit faith communities hard with the closure of communal worship during the two lockdowns. This funding is part of our comprehensive support for them. Our faith communities instinctively love their neighbours.”
As part of a previous community integration project funded by EFL Trust, Blackburn Rovers Community Trust took young people from their local community to visit the Peace Walls in Belfast which were built to minimise violence between two distinct communities. Discussion around these helped facilitate wider discussion around diversity and acceptance.
Head of Community and Participation at the EFL Trust, Loo Brackpool said:
“It is of great importance for the EFL Trust and our Club Community Organisations to be part of this vital project and use the power of the club badge to unite people by demonstrating common interests, increasing understanding and bridging differences.
“We will be working with family groups to help facilitate understanding across generations, as well between those from different backgrounds, cultures and faith groups. EFL Clubs and CCOs have endured as a positive force in their communities through the years and their collective efforts in response to the pandemic have underlined their vital importance in our towns and cities. Despite the uncertainty of COVID restrictions, we will find ways to deliver this project and use the learning to inform other areas of our existing community activities nationwide.”
