Council of Ethnic Minority Voluntary Sector Organisations

Capacity Building Programme

Funded by the Scottish Government (previously known as the Scottish Executive), the Capacity Building Programme is a structured programme with different strands which aimed at strengthening Scotland’s ethnic minority voluntary organisations and community groups, helping to modernise their systems, structures and processes, and fostering their long-term sustainability.

Working with one of our specialist MBA qualified Capacity Building Consultants, participating organisations benefit from free one-to-one support, guidance and practical help in all aspects of organisational development for a period of one year, as well as free training on good governance, business planning and fundraising.

If you would like to find out more about the CBP, please contact Shaista Asghar or Jeanice Lee, Capacity Building Consultants on 0141 550 7564 or send an email to shaista.asghar@cemvo.org.uk or jeanice.lee@cemvo.org.uk.

Social Enterprise Capacity Building Programme

Funded by Scottish Government, the Social Enterprise Capacity Building Programme (SECBP) is now in its second year providing one-to-one support, guidance and practical help to more established ethnic minority voluntary organisations (most of which have gone through the CBP) to help them work towards a level of self-sufficiency, i.e. less dependent on grant funding.

The Social Enterprise Capacity Building Officer helps participating organisations explore social enterprising/income generation ideas, support their skills development and assist in formulating funding proposals.

If you would like to find out more about the SECBP, please contact Alison Davis, Social Enterprise Capacity Building Officer on 0141 550 7564 or send an email to alison.davis@cemvo.org.uk.

Ethnic Minority Civic Congress

Being the first of its kind in Scotland, the Ethnic Minority Civic Congress (EMCC) is a representative, democratic and structured platform designed to facilitate civic engagement and participation, and promote a collective and coordinated voice for the ethnic minority communities in Scotland. It is currently funded by the Scottish Government and the Commission for Racial Equality.

The EMCC is made of nominated representatives from ethnic minority voluntary organisations throughout Scotland and there are currently 88 congress members. EMCC holds four congress meetings a year and there are also regional training seminars to increase understanding of democratic processes and how to become involved.

If you would like to find out more about the EMCC, please contact Charles Chingwalu or Fiaz Khan, Development Officers on 0141 550 7564 or send an email to charles.chingwalu@cemvo.org.uk or fiaz.khan@cemvo.org.uk.

Inclusive Democracy Project

In partnership with the Electoral Commission, the Inclusive Democracy Project (IDP) works to encourage people from ethnic minority communities in Scotland to play an active and informed role in all levels of civic, democratic and electoral processes. This is done by raising awareness and levels of knowledge, thereby increasing the capacity, enthusiasm and confidence of ethnic minority people to engage in these processes.

The IDP is delivered through a series of learning events, discussion groups and outreach talks.  There is also a built-in research element which explores the barriers to and perceptions of democracy for ethnic minorities and identifies effective approaches to increase participation.

If you would like to find out more about the IDP, please contact Jamie Cooke, Outreach and Training Officer or Abha Rodrigues, Development Officer on 0141 550 7564 or send an email to jamie.cooke@cemvo.org.uk or abha.rodrigues@cemvo.org.uk.

Black Leadership Network

In partnership with Glasgow Anti-Racist Alliance (GARA), the Black Leadership Network (BLN) was first set up in January 2006 with the aim to develop collective leadership within the Scottish ethnic minority sector by bringing the Race Equality agenda to the forefront and promoting effective delivery and implementation of Race Equality in Scotland.

The BLN is for Black Managers working in the voluntary and public sector whose responsibility and remit involves Race Equality work at a strategic and operational level.   Activities include regular briefings and events, training and development opportunities, peer support as well as information sharing and collaborative working opportunities.

Black Leadership Network is funded by The Scottish Government

If you would like to find out more about the BLN, please contact Jelina Rahman, Development Officer on 0141 550 7564 or send an email to jelina.rahman@cemvo.org.uk.

Social Policy and Research

CEMVO Scotland regularly undertakes research in different areas related to the ethnic minority voluntary sector and its communities in Scotland to gain understanding and raise profile of specific issues, as well as to influence social policy and decision making processes.  Published reports to date include:

Strengthening Communities (2004) – A mapping exercise of the ethnic minority voluntary sector and its communities in Scotland undertaken by CEMVO Scotland to explore the characteristics and capacity of the ethnic minority voluntary sector and inform the kind of development work required in the sector.

Understanding, Accepting and Valuing Each Other: A Challenge of Ethical Ambition (2004) – Religion or belief: a guide to legislation, good practice, and religions, beliefs and practices for voluntary sector employer.  Commissioned by the DTI, this publication was produced by CEMVO Scotland in collaboration with the Scottish Executive, the Scottish Inter-Faith Council and ACAS.

An External Evaluation of CEMVO Scotland’s Capacity Building Programme (2007) – commissioned by Communities Scotland, this evaluation was undertaken by Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh as an independent assessment of the effectiveness and appropriateness of the Capacity Building Programme.
(To be launched in November 07)

Encouraging Social Enterprises and Co-operatives among Ethnic Minority Groups in Scotland (2007) – commissioned by Communities Scotland and Co-operative Development Scotland, this piece of research was undertaken by EKOS Ltd. to explore issues surrounding barriers experienced by ethnic minority groups in establishing social enterprises. (To be launched in November 07)