Project Esperanza

04/10/2026

FREE COUNSELLING
EVERY WEDNESDAY
👇
Booked your slot here:
https://calendar.app.google/xWA5keFvGUDWkGsU8

04/10/2026

04/10/2026

Could you help change a child's future?

Many Black and Brown children in care are waiting for safe, loving homes that understand and celebrate their culture, identity, heritage and lived experiences.

Join Barnardo's Scotland Fostering Service and Project Esperanza for a welcoming community event exploring the need for more Black and Brown foster carers across Scotland.

This is an opportunity to:
Learn more about fostering
Meet fostering professionals and social workers
Ask questions in a relaxed, informal setting
Understand why culturally responsive foster care matters
Discover how you could make a lasting difference in a child's life

Free culturally appropriate food and refreshments will be provided.

A dedicated children's activity area will be available, making this a family-friendly event.

Whether you are actively considering fostering or simply curious to learn more, we invite you to come along, connect with others, and be part of an important conversation about supporting children to thrive.

📍 Studio 3, MacMillan Hub, Edinburgh
📅 Tuesday 27 October
⏰ 11:00am - 2:00pm

Together, we can help ensure that Black and Brown children grow up in homes where they feel seen, valued and understood.



Register your free place today via our Eventbrite.

03/10/2026

سينظم مشروع "إسبيرانزا" (Project Esperanza) فعالية "يوم العائلة" القادمة في مركز حي "درايلو" (Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre) يوم السبت، 31 أكتوبر 2026 ندعو جميع المؤسسات والشركاء للمشاركة والحضور!

02/10/2026

BARriers to Safety 2026 | Edinburgh

Why are women from Black, migrant and minoritised communities less likely to report Gender-Based Violence (GBV) or seek support?

This November, we are bringing together community leaders, researchers, public services, policymakers and people with lived experience to explore the barriers that can make reporting abuse and accessing safety difficult.

Greyfriars Charteris Centre, Edinburgh
Thursday 12 November 2026

Barriers to Safety 2026 – National Summit on Underreporting of Gender-Based Violence in Scotland, hosted by Fantanka Diaspora, is an inaugural national summit focused on understanding the experiences of minoritised women and examining how we can create safer, more accessible routes to support.

The summit will explore:

🔹 Domestic abuse and sexual violence
🔹 Female ge***al mutilation (FGM)
🔹 Migration, culture and systems
🔹 Barriers to disclosure and reporting
🔹 Experiences of Black, migrant and minoritised women
🔹 The role of public services, policing, education and local government
🔹 How community organisations and policymakers can strengthen pathways to safety

The programme continues on Friday 13 November with:

Roots Conversation: What Do We Keep, What Do We Change?

An evening dedicated to community voices, reflection, connection and celebration, exploring the beliefs, practices and experiences that shape how gender-based violence is understood and addressed within our communities.

The evening will include food, culture, a gala and awards ceremony, celebrating individuals and community members who are making a positive difference.

Day One brings the evidence, research, policy and systems into the room. Day Two brings community voices, lived experience and collective reflection.

Together, these two days create an opportunity to listen, learn, connect and work towards safer routes to support for women and communities across Scotland.

12 November 2026 – National Summit
13 November 2026 – Roots Conversation, Gala & Awards
📍 Edinburgh

This is a conversation we need to have. And every voice matters.

02/10/2026

Last week, on 28 September, we attended the launch of Report FOUR of The Promise a moment that was both encouraging and deeply challenging.
The Oversight Board’s latest report makes it clear: while Scotland has made progress over the past six years, too many children, young people, and families are still not experiencing the change they were promised. And for Black and Brown communities, the disparities remain even sharper. Their care experiences continue to differ from their white counterparts, and the system is still not good enough.
Fraser McKinlay, Chief Executive of The Promise Scotland, captured the urgency well: “Plans and activity matter only when they lead to the change Scotland promised.” The call to action is unmistakable those with responsibility, power and resources must accelerate delivery as we move towards 2030.
It was a privilege to meet the Minister for The Promise and Children and Young People at the launch. We spoke about the work Project Esperanza has been leading to highlight and address the experiences of Black and Brown children within the care system. I’m encouraged that she expressed a clear interest in engaging with us and visiting to learn more about our work.
As Report FOUR reminds us, Scotland already knows what needs to happen. Now it’s about decisions, action, and delivery and ensuring that change is felt consistently by every child, in every community.
Project Esperanza will continue to push for that reality.

02/10/2026

Last week, on 28 September, Victoria Nyanga-Ndiaye 🇿🇼🇸🇳🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 attended the launch of Report FOUR of The Promise a moment that was both encouraging and deeply challenging.
The Oversight Board’s latest report makes it clear: while Scotland has made progress over the past six years, too many children, young people, and families are still not experiencing the change they were promised. And for Black and Brown communities, the disparities remain even sharper. Their care experiences continue to differ from their white counterparts, and the system is still not good enough.
Fraser McKinlay, Chief Executive of The Promise Scotland, captured the urgency well: “Plans and activity matter only when they lead to the change Scotland promised.” The call to action is unmistakable those with responsibility, power and resources must accelerate delivery as we move towards 2030.
It was a privilege to meet the Minister for The Promise and Children and Young People at the launch. They spoke about the work Project Esperanza has been leading to highlight and address the experiences of Black and Brown children within the care system. We are encouraged that she expressed a clear interest in engaging with us and visiting to learn more about our work.
As Report FOUR reminds us, Scotland already knows what needs to happen. Now it’s about decisions, action, and delivery and ensuring that change is felt consistently by every child, in every community.
Project Esperanza will continue to push for that reality.

01/10/2026

تقوم **Project Esperanza** بتنظيم دروس مجانية لتعليم اللغة الإنجليزية للأشخاص الذين يرغبون في تحسين مهاراتهم في التحدث باللغة الإنجليزية.

تُعقد الدروس في الموقعين التاليين:

📍 **مكتبة مويرهوس (Muirhouse Library)**
🗓️ كل يوم **الاثنين**

📍 **مركز درايلو المجتمعي (Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre)**
🗓️ كل يوم **السبت**

🕥 **الوقت:** من الساعة 10:30 صباحًا حتى 12:30 ظهرًا.

نرحب بالجميع، ونوفر بيئة ودية وداعمة لمساعدة المتعلمين على تطوير مهاراتهم في اللغة الإنجليزية وبناء الثقة في التواصل اليومي.

30/09/2026

Our Voice for Migrant Workers Reached the Scottish Parliament

Today, concerns raised by Project Esperanza about the exploitation of migrant workers under the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) system were highlighted in the Scottish Parliament.

It was noted that many migrant workers are reportedly paying tens of thousands of pounds to secure sponsorship, often selling homes and exhausting their life savings in pursuit of a better future. Too many then find themselves trapped in situations characterised by poor working conditions, poverty wages, unpredictable hours, and fear of speaking out because the loss of sponsorship can mean destitution and homelessness.

During the discussion, a call was made for the Scottish Government to meet with Project Esperanza and investigate what further steps can be taken to strengthen protections, resources, and support for those affected.

The Minister acknowledged the seriousness of these concerns and committed to meeting with Project Esperanza, recognising the particular risks faced by migrant workers and the importance of advancing Fair Work for everyone in Scotland.

This is an important step forward, but our work continues.

At Project Esperanza, we stand alongside migrant workers, advocating for dignity, justice, and protection from exploitation. No one should have to choose between enduring abuse and losing everything they have worked for.

Together, we can build a Scotland where every worker is treated fairly, safely, and with respect.


When lived experience reaches Parliament, change becomes possible. We will continue to amplify the voices of migrant workers until exploitation ends.

29/09/2026

Vote for Project Esperanza 🤞
https://award.scottishtalentsummit.com/vote