Equality and Diversity Innovation Fund Launched

The £700,000  Equality and Diversity Innovation 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 National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) will use their commitment to equality and diversity in adult learning to manage this fund. The fund follows on from three previous funds administered by the former Learning and Skills Improvement Service with the Agency. Over 100 colleges and training organisations directly benefited from these funds, delivering high-quality projects that improved outcomes for disadvantaged learners.

The available funding will directed to:

• 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.

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”

NIACE is an independent charity which promotes adult learning across England and Wales which works to improve the quality and breadth of opportunities available for all adults so they can benefit from learning throughout their lives

Joyce Black, Head of the Centre for Life Skills at NIACE, said: “We are delighted 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.”