£500,000 for projects aiming to tackle sectarianism

Projects aimed at ending sectarianism in Scotland are to share a £500,000 funding pot.

Community safety minister Annabelle Ewing announced the cash was being divided between 11 schemes, with Glasgow-based charity Nil By Mouth getting the largest share of the cash.

It will receive £80,000 for its work, which is focused on tackling sectarianism in schools and workplaces, while the organisation Sacro will get £65,000, some of which will fund anti-sectarian education in Scotland's prisons.

Funding totalling almost £13 million has been invested in a bid to eradicate the problem over the last six years and Ms Ewing said a recent review had highlighted the "significant impact" education-based projects can have.

She added: "The review was also clear that sectarianism needs to be tackled with the same conviction and confidence as racism or homophobia if we are to eradicate it.

"The projects we are funding will drive that forward in communities across the country."

• sectarianism
• Nil By Mouth
• Annabelle Ewing