Migration Roundtable with Migration Policy Scotland, Scottish Funders Forum, and Scottish Grantmakers

Scottish Grantmakers partnered with Migration Policy Scotland and Scottish Funders Forum this week to deliver a Migration Roundtable. The event was focused on informing funders on the under researched and underfunding theme of migration.

Introduced by Migration Policy Scotland, attendees were given background on the trends and challenges migration is seeing in the country, as well as how migration impacts common funding themes. Led by Dr. Sarah Kyambi and Dr. Rebecca Kay, delegates learned about the pivotal role migration plays in shaping Scotland’s future.

As the UK nation with the fastest-growing migrant population, Scotland faces unique challenges and opportunities. The presentation covered key aspects such as the intersection of migration with social issues, the importance of migration for maintaining a healthy workforce, and the evolving trends and attitudes surrounding migration across the UK.

The discussion highlighted the vital contributions migrants make to Scotland’s economy and communities, despite the systemic barriers they face. Further, in response to the recent far-right riots in England, UK’s funders are becoming increasingly aware of the threats migrant groups endure and how the increasingly hostile tensions are evolving.

This session was followed by a roundtable discussion with Carol Mack, CEO of Association of Charitable Foundations, Marchu Belete, Co-director of Migration Exchange, and Elaine Wilson, Head of Learning and Development at Corra Foundation. Key take aways from their disucssion include:

  • .3% of charitable funding in the UK is dedicated to Migrants. 0.07% of charitable funding in Scotland is dedicated to Migrants.

  • Though refugee and asylum seekers only make up 10% of immigration in the UK, they are awarded six times more than all other migrant groups.

  • There are 700 charities in all of the UK specifically focused on helping migrants, but in Scotland that number is 36.

  • While Scotland is a leader in the UK for progressive policies, the implementation of support for migrants from the government is limited, with migrants facing institutional and systemic barriers.

  • Despite migrants being large contributors to Scotland’s economy through their labour in essential fields, like health care, social care, and construction, migrants are not allowed access to public support.

  • Funders have a responsibility to monitor the sector and understand where funds are going and where they are not. EDI models, unrestrictive funding, and direct community engagement are the best ways to eliminate funding gaps.

Access to the full event summary, video recording of the event, and the resources shared at the event are available to members, in the Member’s Area.

If you are not a members, we invite you to consider joining our community, which provides you with exclusive resources and the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions on shaping Scotland's third-sector.

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