Refugee Week wins RBS Community Force grant

This week we received the wonderful news that we’ve been awarded £6,000 from the RBS Community Force. The win means we can now support 15 refugee-led organisations to organise their own community event during Refugee Week Scotland 2012. 

The win is an amazing boost not just to us but to the communities the money will end up going to – and it was all thanks to our loyal supporters, who voted for us in their droves on the Community Force website throughout September.

We were one of over 1,000 charities across Scotland who entered, of which just three charities in the Glasgow City Centre area were awarded the grant.

Refugee Week celebrates the contributions refugees have made

Refugee Week takes place every June across the UK, and aims to celebrate the contribution that refugees have made to the country over the years. In Scotland, community events form an important part of the programme, with everything from live music and food to fashion shows and football taking place.

At this year’s Refugee Week Scotland, around 4,000 people from all sorts of backgrounds attended the community events alone, with one attendant commenting: ‘I have learned that no matter how difficult my life can seem, it is nothing in comparison to the life of someone who has had to flee their country to save theirs.’

We'll be able to help more communities stage their own event

Belinda McElhinney, our arts and cultural development officer and the Refugee Week Scotland coordinator, said: ‘We are absolutely delighted that so many people voted for us on the RBS Community Force site.

'The win means so much – and without it many community groups wouldn’t be able to take part in Refugee Week Scotland. So thank you to everyone, and we hope to see you at Refugee Week next June!’

Read more about Refugee Week Scotland

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