The Scottish Governments funding to Muslim and Christian organisations and countries: FOI release

Information requested

• How much financial aid, donations and grants have been approved by Humza Yousaf (or others in the Scottish Parliament/Government) to Muslim &/or Christian Religious Organisations and/or Countries since he took the office of First Minister of Scotland?
• How much was paid?
• To whom?
• When?
• From what budget?
• The reason for which Scottish Taxpayer money was spent/released/donated?

Response

I enclose the majority of the information you requested in the form of a link to the Scottish Government’s spend for monies issued over the sum of £25,000: This is detailed in a monthly report format. It is also worth noting, this information is readily available in the public domain. You can view the information here Government spend over £25,000: monthly reports - gov.scot (www.gov.scot). You can also find further payments provided on the Equality, inclusion and HR fund page, which you can view via this link Equality and Human Rights Fund: projects funded - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) and Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund, details are available online Equality funding: Promoting Equality and Cohesion Fund 2017-2021 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Our aim is to provide information wherever possible. However, due to the wide scope of your question we may not have been able to identify and provide some of the information you require because an exemption(s) under Section 12 (Cost Limit) of FOISA applies to that information. The reason why that exemption applies is explained below;

• The search criteria identified a number of documents that may or may not be in scope, therefore, exceeded the cost threshold.
• A call across Scottish Government for a search of personal folders of all staff has also in some circumstances exceed the cost threshold

However, in addition to the data already published, we can provide the following information in relation to your question.

PAYEE	AMOUNT	BUDGET	PROGRAMME	APPROVED BY
British Red Cross	£125,000	HEF	Humanitarian Support for Sudan	Minister for International Development, Christina McKelvie
Oxfam	£125,000	HEF	Humanitarian Support for Sudan	Minister for International Development, Christina McKelvie
Police Scotland	£394,277	IDF	Capacity Strengthening Initiative.	Minister for International Development, Christina McKelvie
UNRWA	£750,000	IDF	Humanitarian Support for Gaza	Minister for International Development, ChristinaMcKelvie
KidsOR	£324,900	IDF	https://www.gov.scot/news/scottish-government-invests-in-clean-energy-at-cop28/	Minister for International Development, Christina McKelvie
SCIAF	£125,000	HEF	Humanitarian Support for Afghanistan	Minister for International Development, Christina McKelvie
Christian Aid	£125,000	HEF	Humanitarian Support for Afghanistan	Minister for International Development, Christina McKelvie
British Red Cross	£125,000	HEF	Humanitarian Support for Libya	Minister for International Development, Christina McKelvie
Islamic Relief	£125,000	HEF	Humanitarian Support for Libya	Minister for International Development, Christina McKelvie
World Health Organisation	£500,000	IDF	Health Programme	Minister for International Development, Christina McKelvie

TS Fund	Organisation	Umbrella/ National /Local	2023/24	2024/25	Main Policy Area
CYPFEI & ALEC	Amina - Muslim Women's Resource Centre (Both Funds)	National	£73,500.00	£73,500.00	Gender based violence
CYPFEI & ALEC	Boys' Brigade Scotland	National	£63,000.00	£63,000.00	Community Learning and Development, Adult learning and Youthwork
CYPFEI & ALEC	Bethany Christian Trust (ALEC)	National	£52,500.00	£52,500.00	Homelessness

The CYPFEIF & ALEC Fund is a Scottish Government fund administered by Corra Foundation.

The overall vision for the fund is to:

• Deliver nationally on improved outcomes for children, families, young people and adult learners through supporting the Third Sector in prevention and early intervention approaches.
• Strengthening the Third Sector to increase the effectives of services and policies that prioritise prevention and early intervention in the areas of children, young people and families and adult learning at a national level.

Scottish Police Muslim Association

Funding has been provided to the Scottish Police Muslim Association with a grant in recognition of its role of supporting Muslim Police officers and staff and existing as a bridge between the Police service and Muslim communities as shown in the table below.

Financial Year	Grant £
2022/2023	20,000
2023/ to date	15,000

Youthlink Scotland/Yusuf Youth Initiative

Under the Phase 5 of Cashback for Communities scheme made a grant to Youthlink Scotland. Part of the funding enabled Youthlink to make grants to smaller community organisations; as part of this Youthlink annual reports shows some onward funding reported for Yusuf Youth Initiative, which might fit this FOI ask - Yusuf Youth Initiative (yyi.org.uk). Please note this funding began before FM took office in 2023.

• 22/23 - £4,000
• in Dundee City Council area.

You may wish to be aware that organisations are often not categorised specifically by faith, and therefore we have provided information where it appears that the organisation may be connected to Muslim &/or Christian Religious communities. If you require further information, you may consider sending a more specific request.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.