Equality and Diversity Innovation Fund to be managed by NIACE Wednesday, July 31, 2013 - 17:41

NIACE’s national expertise in fund management has been recognised once again through being appointed today - Thursday 1 August - by the Skills Funding Agency (the Agency) to manage the Equality and Diversity Innovation Fund. The Fund will provide grants between £1,000 and £25,000 to Agency-funded organisations across England for innovative projects to advance equality, diversity and inclusion in adult education.

The appointment recognises NIACE’s strong commitment to equality and diversity in adult learning and NIACE will use its well-established networks to encourage a diverse range of providers to develop the capacity of the whole sector to meet the public sector Equality Duty. NIACE will aim to broaden the types of organisations applying to include 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 has been published, with successful projects 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; and
• 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.”

More information about the Equality and Diversity Innovation Fund, including the prospectus, is available here. Applications to the fund can be made from Saturday 10 August to Monday 16 September 2013.