A SECOND Govanhill charity has told how it was knocked back for vital Scottish Government funding.

The Glasgow Times exclusively revealed earlier this month how Govanhill Law Centre had missed out on a £75,000 grant from the Equality and Human Rights fund.

Now Positive Action in Housing’s New Migrants Action Project has been denied cash.

And both services say they may have to close if they cannot find other funding.

Robina Qureshi, Executive Director of Positive Action in Housing, which runs the service, said: "Sadly, our application for funding from the Scottish Government’s Equality and Human Rights Fund to continue this vital work was declined and the project will be curtailed at the end of September - unless we get a reprieve.

"Equality becomes a reality when people can assert their rights.

"The New Migrant Action Project does this on a case by case basis, building trust, overcoming literacy and language barriers, arming people with vital information about their rights.

"Our multilingual team take the time to listen to people who are often dismissed & excluded by mainstream institutions. experiences and understand how to execute a solution that works.

"Without this work, those words 'Equality' and 'Human Rights' are nothing more than abstracts."

In 2020 to 21, Positive Action in Housing’s New Migrants Action Project supported 395 Roma households in Govanhill.

They helped secure presettled status, supported families with self employment and secured financial entitlements of more than £696,000 from Central Government that went back into the Scottish economy.

This year the Scottish Government has brought together various funding pots to create the new Equality and Human Rights Fund.

The Government says a total of 48 organisations - including Govanhill's Romano Lav charity, which works with the Roma communities - will benefit.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “We were oversubscribed by applications for the new Equality and Human Rights Fund and so unfortunately there are organisations which have not been successful.

"This was a competitive application process, independently assessed, and more than 48 third sector organisations are being funded.

"They have received a share of more than £21 million – an increase of £1m - per year to support their vital efforts to strengthen communities, further equality, and advance human rights."

The Scottish Government said "many factors" were considered when selecting which proposals to fund.

This included best fit with Fund outcomes and priorities, the balance of proposals across Scotland and how to best deliver the aim and vision of the programme whilst meeting the needs of specific groups.

The Fund Managers, Inspiring Scotland, say it will provide individual feedback on applications to all organisations.

Govanhill Law Centre works alongside other agencies to tackle slum landlords and gangmaster employees, as well as fighting for benefits, employment, immigration and housing rights of local people.

Solicitors give walk-in advice and support and now serve hundreds of clients every year for a full range of legal services.