Equality and Diversity Innovation Fund now open Monday, August 12, 2013 - 09:55

Organisations in England-  funded by the Skills Funding Agency and running innovative projects to advance equality, diversity and inclusion in adult education - can now apply to the £700k Equality and Diversity Innovation Fund, managed by NIACE on behalf of the Agency.

The £700k Fund will provide grants between £1,000 and £25,000 to a diverse range of providers to develop the capacity of the whole sector to meet the public sector Equality Duty. NIACE welcomes applications from a broad variety of organisations, including more Apprenticeships, National Careers Service, and offender learning providers, as well as colleges, employers, and private and third sector providers.

A prospectus and full information about how to apply to the Fund is available online - applications are now open until Monday 16 September 2013. Successful projects are expected to run between October 2013 and June 2014.

NIACE and the Agency hope that the grant funding made available will:

• Support employers to recruit more apprentices from a black or minority ethnic (BME) background or who have a learning difficulty or disability.
• Address gender-stereotyping.
• Advance equality across the full range of protected characteristics including sexual orientation, gender identity, religion and belief.
• Empower providers with a good equality and diversity track record to act as leaders and mentors to others.
• Develop and promote new and existing resources.

Joyce Black, Head of the Centre for Life Skills at NIACE, said:

"We are delighted that our commitment to equality and diversity throughout all of our work has been recognised and that we’ve been chosen to act as a trusted partner to take forward the next round of funding on behalf of the Skills Funding Agency. It is evident from previous funds we’ve managed that even a small amount of funding can make a huge difference to individuals, their families and their communities. The Equality and Diversity Innovation Fund will help transform the futures of some of the most marginalised people in society by helping them to progress in ways that are most relevant to their lives."

Kim Thorneywork, Chief Executive of the Skills Funding Agency, said:

"Everyone should have the chance to reach their potential in life and I believe it’s really important that we help those who are under-represented or disadvantaged in learning. This is the fourth year that we’ve funded the equality and diversity grants; working with NIACE will ensure we can build on previous successes and I am confident the sector will rise to our equality and diversity challenge."