To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which organisations have received funding under the Faith Communities Capacity Building Fund to date; and what the (a) purpose and (b) monetary value of the grant was in each case. (262161)

The Faith Communities Capacity Building Fund was distributed over the three years 2004-05 to 2007-08, in two rounds of funding. I have placed in the Library a list showing each organisation that received funding, the amount awarded and the purpose.

The fund had two categories: capacity building and inter faith activity. The purpose of the capacity building category was to help build the organisational capabilities of faith-based organisations, enabling them to play a fuller part in civil society by engaging more effectively with public authorities. Capacity building for the large grants was subdivided into three categories: leadership and management; relationships with local, regional or national Government; and mentoring smaller faith organisations. The purpose of the inter faith category was to improve cohesion between different faith groups and the wider community, thereby bringing people of different faiths together to promote mutual understanding, respect and co-operation.