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.
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.
An overview of the event’s content is available below, as well as a recording of the event.
In attendance
Sophie Mills (WS Society)
Matthew Bruce (WS Society)
Patricia Cheney (WS Society)
Apologies
Nick Ferguson, Kilfinan Trust
Jo Elliot, Binks Trust
Present
Jillian Baillie, Bank of Scotland Foundation
Marchu Belete, Migration Exchange
Samantha Billington, Samworth Foundation
Julie Christie, Environmental Funders Network
Sarah Gilmour, Hymans Robertson Foundation
Ems Harrington, Turn2us (Edinburgh Trust)
Rachel Heydecker, Association of Charitable Foundations
Petra Kasparek, Turn2us (Edinburgh Trust)
Dr. Rebecca Kay, Migration Policy Scotland
Dr. Sarah Kyambi, Migration Policy Scotland
Carol Mack OBE, Association of Charitable Foundations
Alison MacLachlan, Scottish Grantmakers, The Wood Foundation
Mark McGeachie, Fife Health Charity
Morag Neville, The Northwood Charitable Trust
Mhairi Reid, William Grant Foundation
Neil Ritch, Scottish Funders Forum
Carolyn Sawers, Corra Foundation
Blair Thomson, Scottish Grantmakers, The Northwood Charitable trust
Elyse Travis, Migration Policy Scotland
James Tulloch, Henry Smith Charity
Andrew Tweedy, RSSWS
Elaine Wilson, Corra Foundation
Presentation by Migration Policy Scotland
Dr. Sarah Kyambi and Dr. Rebecca Kay welcomed all and introduced Migration Policy Scotland.
Dr. Kyambi opened the presentation by defining migration and providing context of migration as a funding theme.
Defining Migration
Migration is defined as the movement of individuals to a new country where they establish their usual residence. Migration is a growing phenomenon, with both the number of migrants in countries (stocks) and the number of people moving (flows) increasing. Understandably, migration is a pivotal issue for all of the UK, and in particular Scotland which has experienced the fastest growing migrant population of all UK nations over the past 20 years. Migration therefore influences a multitude of social, economic, and political facets. Further, migrants coming for work, school, and family make up 90% of all immigration, leaving the remaining 10% as refugee and asylum seekers. This group is chronically underfunded and under researched.
Key Points on Migration
Intersectional Impacts and Discontents: Migration intersects with various social issues and can become a focal point for broader societal discontents. Current economic challenges amplify these issues, often misdirecting public discontent towards migrants. It's essential to address these complexities to foster a health and cohesive society.
Migration as a Future Necessity: With aging populations in many northern countries, including Scotland, migration from the global south is essential to maintain a healthy population. Migrant populations tend to be younger, contributing positively to the future workforce and societal sustainability.
Changing Migration Trends: Post-Brexit, EU migration to the UK has declined, giving rise to new source countries such as India, China, and Nigeria. This shift brings new settlement patterns and reasons for migration, such as the increasing number of international students.
Community and Economic Contributions: Migrants play vital roles in the economy and local communities, despite often facing systemic barriers. Effective migration policies can mitigate issues related to depopulation and aging in Scotland, supporting community growth and economic vitality.
Policy and Public Attitudes: Migration policy needs to be evidence-led and holistic. While Scottish policies often feature positive rhetoric, substantial action is required to translate these into tangible benefits. Public attitudes towards migration in Scotland are increasingly fragile, underscoring the need for resilient and inclusive policies. To prevent potential conflicts, it’s crucial to invest in community relations and support for migrant-led organizations. Building strong, inclusive communities can help address and preempt social tensions.
Migration’s contribution to UK society
Dr. Rebecca Kay highlighted the specific impacts of migration across various sectors and communities. Migrants contribute significantly to the workforce, especially in key sectors facing skill shortages, and play a crucial role in local revitalization efforts. However, they also face vulnerabilities due to systemic barriers, necessitating tailored policy solutions.
Migration intersects with nearly all policy areas, cascading into economic, social, and geographical impacts. For example, migrants often face underemployment and struggle with career progression, which ties into broader issues of poverty and inequality. Addressing these issues requires a comprehensive, inclusive approach to policy-making.
Funders who work in communities to support economic equality education, youth wellbeing, health, and social care will unavoidably be involved with migrant communities. Understanding and addressing migration is not just a niche interest but a critical aspect of Scotland’s future. The growing and diversifying migrant population necessitates thoughtful engagement and resource allocation. By building resilient communities and fostering positive public attitudes, Scotland can harness the full potential of migration to address its social and economic challenges.
Resources shared by Migration Policy Scotland are available here:
Roundtable discussion
Carol Mack, CEO of Association of Charitable Foundations
The first Roundtable Participant was Carol Mack OBE, CEO of Association of Charitable Foundations, who gave an overview of the sector, responses to recent far-right and racist riots, and how she has seen the sector react.
Using data available on 360Giving, Carol informed delegates that, in the context of funding for the voluntary and community sector, independent funders, including NGOs and lottery distributors, contribute approximately £6.4 billion annually in the UK, and in Scotland alone, independent funders provide £502 million in grants yearly. Focusing on migration issues, of that £6.4 billion, in 2023, 204 grants totalling £20 million were awarded to issues related to Migration. In Scotland, £380,000 of the £502 million was specifically allocated for migration, with significant contributions from the Paul Hamlyn Foundation and Foundation Scotland.
As stated by Sarah and Rebecca, Carol built on the under recognised struggle for funding for migrants, noting funding for asylum and refugee issues in Scotland was six times higher than that awarded to migrant groups, at £2.3 million in 2023.
Many foundations address migration within broader missions, such as housing, education, mental health, and access to justice, impacting the experiences of migrants. Additionally, there is a growing intersection between migration and climate change, with a significant number of refugees fleeing climate-vulnerable countries, however explicit funding for migrants is very limited. In England and Wales, only eleven charities explicitly state migration as a funding theme. In Scotland, only two with giving over £5,000 support migration.
Carol urged foundations to apply a migration lens to their missions to better align their work with these critical issues. Recent racist and anti-immigration riots in England highlighted the need for rapid, flexible funding responses and long-term investment in racial and migrant justice. Addressing these challenges requires ongoing commitment and understanding of how charitable activities are affected by broader structural inequalities. The Association of Charitable Foundations will continue to support its members in rising to these challenges.
Carol Mack, CEO of ACF shared the following resources:
Marchu Belete, Co-director of Migration Exchange
Marchu Belete, the Co-director of Migration Exchange, introduced her organisation and the work they are doing to address migration in Scotland.
Migration Exchange, is a charitable program working with funders and sector organizations to provide insights, collaboration spaces, and pooled funds. Building on issues touched by Sarah, Rebecca, and Carol, Marchu discussed the migration sector, focusing on Scotland and its political context.
Migration Exchange’s report, "People Power Priorities," published in 2023, shows the UK has about 700 migration-focused charitable organizations, and another 700 organisations where migration is a part of the work they do. In Scotland, there are 36 organisations—a 13% increase since 2022, but largely an underfunded theme, particularly front line responding organisations.
Despite progressive policies like free public transport and voting rights for refugees, Scotland's migration charities receive only 5% of the funding, highlighting the need for better support, especially for frontline organizations.
The recent political shift, with Labour gaining power and the SNP's decline, offers a chance to rethink strategies and resource allocation for systemic change. Key areas include investing in policy work, fostering collaboration on intersecting issues like social and climate justice, and addressing the backlash from recent racist riots through safety measures and support for affected communities.
Marchu encouraged funders to improve their practices to support migrant-led organizations and uphold anti-racism values. To provide emergency and flexible funds to organisations working within migrant communities and to collaborate with these on the ground organisaitons is essential for impactful change.
Marchu Belete, Co-Director of Migration Exchange shared the following resource:
Elaine Wilson, Head of Learning and Development at Corra Foundation
Elaine introduced Corra Foundation, a charity committed to becoming an anti-racist organization. Their joint group of trustees and staff, led by those with lived experiences of racial inequity, ensures this commitment permeates all aspects of our work, from employment practices to grant-making.
Elaine introduced Corra’s approach to addressing the needs of minority groups in Scotland. Corra requires grant applicants complete an EDI monitoring form, which helps the charity understand the leadership and reach of applicant organizations, helping to identify and support underserved groups across Scotland. While this project is in the early stages, Corra is identifying the need to support migrant groups, recognizing the isolation of groups in rural areas require unique solutions. The charity is working to engage with these communities to understand their needs and reduce funding barriers.
Corra Foundation has moved towards an open grant making system, emphasizes flexible funding, streamlined processes, and quick disbursements, particularly for small to medium organizations. Their new Independent Human Rights Fund for Scotland aims to hold statutory bodies accountable and support migrants' rights. While not solely focused on migration, Corra strives to increase equality and support for all communities, and is learning how to become more involved and better supporters of underserved groups in Scotland.
Conclusion
Migration Policy Scotland's presentation underscored the significant role migration plays in shaping Scotland’s future. As the fastest-growing migrant population in the UK, Scotland must approach migration not just as a policy issue but as a critical component of its social and economic framework. The insights provided by Dr. Sarah Kyambi and Dr. Rebecca Kay emphasize the need for inclusive funding that address the complexities of migration. By fostering positive public attitudes and supporting migrant communities, Scotland can fully harness the benefits of migration, ensuring a vibrant and sustainable future for all its residents.
A recording of the event is available here:
Additional resources members may find useful include the following:
To request an alternative format for any of the resources shared above, please contact scottishgrantmakers@wssociety.co.uk.
Upcoming events
Scottish Grantmakers next event will be our Annual Conference. We are delighted to share the conference theme this year is: What is Our Gift? Where we will explore not only the financial impact on our communities, but how the experiences and expertise of grant makers can be used to better support the communities we serve.
The Annual Conference will take place Tuesday 24 September 2024 at The Barracks in Stirling from 10.00 - 16.00. You can view the event here.