New Hate Crime Grant For Local Groups

Trailblazing community and voluntary groups are being invited to apply for vital cash to launch new projects tackling racist and religious hate crime.

Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner Hardyal Dhindsa, who is national Hate Crime lead on behalf of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC), has announced the launch of a new fund which will deliver grants of up to £2,500 per organisation for innovative proposals which support his goals to eradicate hate crime in the county.

The Race and Religion Hate Crime Innovation Fund is being administered by the Multi-Faith Centre at the University of Derby on behalf of the PCC and is part of an ambitious plan to pilot new approaches to hate crime and expand research on racist and religious hate crime in the county.

Projects must address the PCC’s top priorities including raising awareness of hate crime, informing and encouraging reporting of hate crime, increasing support for victims and promoting the Hate Crime Victim Support Services which have been commissioned by the Commissioner.

“This is an opportunity to pioneer new approaches to hate crime and reduce fear and vulnerability among our communities,” said Mr Dhindsa.

“Hate crime spreads mistrust and weakens the very foundations of community life. It is my ambition to not only challenge the attitudes and beliefs driving these crimes, but to reassure victims that their experiences will be treated with the highest seriousness and sensitivity.

“Our community partners already work alongside members of the community who are vulnerable to becoming victims of hate crime and can play an essential role in preventing exploitation as well as signposting survivors to support. We need fresh ideas and approaches to encourage more people to come forward and seek justice for hate crime and this is an opportunity to lead the way.”

The fund is only open to voluntary and community groups and local non-profit making organisations.  Projects can be for one-off events or ongoing activities completed within a three-month time period before the end of April 2020.

Whilst proposals must focus on race and religion, applications that span all strands of hate crime are welcomed. The Fund also comes with an optional opportunity to receive monitoring and evaluation support from Dr Phil Henry at the University of Derby.

The deadline for submitting applications is Monday, December 9. Final decisions will be made by January 13 2020.

For more information visit: www.derbyshire-pcc.gov.uk/HateCrimeGrant