Eighteen projects aimed at tackling the problem of sectarianism have been awarded funding totalling more than £3 million, the Scottish Government has announced.
Sense Over Sectarianism, Place for Hope, the Scottish Book Trust and the Conforti Institute are among the organisations receiving a slice of the money.
The funding was allocated following what ministers described as a “robust assessment process” involving an independent expert group set up to look at sectarian issues.
In addition, a Small Grants Fund has been established to distribute £350,000 over the next two years to small-scale and one-off projects across Scotland.
Community Safety Minister Roseanna Cunningham said: “We are determined to create a Scotland which is not weighed down by the prejudices of the past.
“Today’s announcement backs up our commitment to a community-based approach to tackling sectarianism.”
The advisory group’s chairman Dr Duncan Morrow said: “The 18 projects being announced today are a positive first step in the right direction and one that will help to improve the lives of many communities across Scotland.
“I fully recognise that there is still much to be done. As a group we look forward to engaging with these projects, and with those in future funding rounds, to look at the impact they are having and how we can build on this as part of a long-term approach to tackling the root causes of sectarianism in Scotland.”