Police in Edinburgh and the City of Edinburgh Council are continuing to work with the community to create a city free from Islamophobia and associated prejudice behaviour.
A total fund of £40,000 has been contributed to by Police Scotland, City of Edinburgh Council and Scottish Government.
Its purpose of the Shared Vision – Your Decision initiative is to help local people deliver innovative projects which reduce prejudice and foster positive relationships between diverse communities.
Between 10 November and 12 December 2016, applications were submitted for projects to receive up to £5,000 from the total fund.
Residents were then asked to decide which of 34 projects, who collectively applied for over £120,000, were given funding.
A vote was launched on 28 January, running until 13 February, at an event in the city which brought together the projects and the public.
Over 2500 people collectively voted at the event, online and at local libraries with thirteen projects now being given funding.
Sergeant Scott Kennedy of Edinburgh’s Prevention’s Interventions & Partnerships (PIP) Team said: “It’s been really encouraging to see so many people eager to be involved and the support received from the public throughout this process.
“We’ll continue to work together with all the projects to tackle prejudice and ensure that Edinburgh remains a welcoming and diverse city.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been involved and wish all the projects the best of luck!”
Councillor Maureen Child, Convener of the Communities and Neighbourhood Committee, said: “Participatory budgeting exercises like this continue to be exceedingly popular, allowing local people to make real decisions about priority activities in their local area.
’Shared Vision – Your Decision is a great example of the positive work being carried out across the city with partners to promote equality and tackle Islamophobia.”
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
