Scotland-based organisations are invited to develop projects to contribute to the global fight against poverty and inequality, International Development Minister Alasdair Allan said today.

In keeping with the priorities detailed in the refreshed International Development Strategy, a new four and a half-year funding round will target support for communities in Zambia and Rwanda.

Since 2005, the Scottish Government has supported hundreds of projects in sub-Saharan Africa contributing to the Millennium Development Goals and their successor, the new UN Global Goals.

Dr Allan said:

“Scotland is an outward looking and compassionate nation and we are committed to doing all we can to help some of the world’s most vulnerable people.

“Our international development strategy maps out how we will help individuals, families and communities in Zambia, and Rwanda. We are inviting applications with this new funding round, which underlines the importance we place on Scotland playing its part to tackle global challenges.”

In Rwanda, previous Scottish Government support, delivered by Tearfund, has helped communities set up businesses. Dushimimana Alphonse, who was helped to train as a carpenter, said:

“When this project came to my village, I joined a self-help group so that I could get my carpentry business off the ground. My house has now become a showroom for all the furniture I make – all thanks to the support of this project.”

Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund Director Alistair Dutton said:

“Nearly three-quarters of people in Zambia survive on less than £1 a day, and one-in-three don’t have access to clean water. Money from the Scottish Government is helping some of the poorest people in the country with training, seeds, tools and livestock so they can grow the food they need, earn a living, and provide for themselves in the future.”

Jane Salmonson, Chief Executive of NIDOS, the networking body for international development organisations in Scotland said:

“It is exciting to see this new grants round for Rwanda and Zambia opening up. I look forward very much to seeing what can be achieved by Scottish international development organisations for people and communities in those two countries.”