BEMIS Scotland

What BEMIS Scotland does

BEMIS Scotland is a strategic national infrastructure organisation, registered as a Scottish charity (SC027692) and company limited by guarantee (SC200547), founded in 2001 and headquartered at 5/2 Merchants House, 30 George Square, Glasgow. It operates as Scotland's national ethnic minority-led umbrella body, delivering policy advocacy, capacity development, human rights education, and community empowerment programmes for Scotland's ethnic and cultural minority third sector. Core programmes include the Race, Equality and Human Rights Network (REHRN), the CERD Awareness Series launched in 2025, Capacity Development support for local community groups, and policy work spanning local, Scottish, UK, and EU levels. Cultural and integration initiatives span the Hebridean Refugee Festival, World Cup Communities programme, GRAMNet Film Series, Scotland's Winter Festivals, the Football Equity Project, and the Gathered Together parental engagement programme.

The organisation is staffed by approximately 6 employees, including Executive Director Danny Boyle (appointed September 2025, succeeding Rami Ousta), Charlotte Thomas (Race Equality and Human Rights Policy Officer), Dr. Justina Obaoye-Aaja (Capacity Development and Human Rights Training Officer), and Neil Foster (Senior IT and Information Officer). BEMIS generates no commercial revenue; all programmes and resources are provided free of charge. Funding is sourced primarily from the Scottish Government's Equality and Human Rights Fund, administered by Inspiring Scotland, with additional grants from the National Lottery Community Fund for specific projects such as the Hebridean Refugee Festival and the World Cup Communities programme. Distribution occurs through direct community engagement, an online publications library, and a regional partner network spanning COSLA, local authorities, third-sector bodies, universities (GRAMNet), and sport associations.

There are no proprietary technology products, APIs, or AI/ML capabilities associated with BEMIS Scotland; the underlying "platform" is the organisation's two-decade institutional network, charity registration, and recognised subject-matter authority on CERD and race equality in Scotland. The go-to-market motion is community-led, relying on stakeholder convening, policy submissions, public events, and content publishing across web and social channels.

Name

BEMIS Scotland

Legal name

BEMIS (Scotland)

Website

https://bemis.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

BEMIS Scotland is a Glasgow-based national charity and umbrella body that supports Scotland's ethnic and cultural minority third sector through policy advocacy, capacity development, human rights education, and the Race, Equality and Human Rights Network (REHRN), funded primarily by the Scottish Government and the National Lottery.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Advocacy Services

NAICS

Human Rights Organizations (813311), Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Minority, Indigenous & Disability Rights (BPADAGAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Humanitarian Coordination & Disaster Risk Reduction IGOs (BPADAAAE)

Keywords

• Race equality advocacy
• Community capacity building
• Human rights education
• Ethnic minority support
• Policy advocacy services

Headquarters

HQ city

Glasgow

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Scottish Government Equality and Human Rights Fund (EHRF): Core government funding administered through Inspiring Scotland, providing financial support for equality and human rights work across Scotland.
2. National Lottery Community Fund Grants: Project-specific funding for community initiatives including the Hebridean Refugee Festival, World Cup Communities programme, and other capacity development activities.
3. Scottish Government Core Funding: Additional Scottish Government funding for specific programs and initiatives supporting ethnic minority communities.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

BEMIS Scotland is a strategic national infrastructure organisation that empowers Scotland's ethnic and cultural minority third sector through policy advocacy, capacity development support, human rights education, network coordination, and community empowerment initiatives. It coordinates the Race, Equality and Human Rights Network (REHRN), delivers the CERD Awareness Series, and runs community-facing programmes including capacity building workshops, policy consultation work, and cultural events such as the Hebridean Refugee Festival and World Cup Communities Programme.

Product overview

BEMIS Scotland operates as a nonprofit strategic national infrastructure organisation providing community services, advocacy, and education for Scotland's ethnic and cultural minority communities. The organisation offers a portfolio of interconnected programs including the REHR Network for coordinating race equality efforts, the CERD Awareness Series for human rights education, Capacity Development support for community groups, Policy advocacy at local/national/international levels, and Community Empowerment initiatives. Cultural programs include the World Cup Communities Programme, GRAMNet Film Series, and Scotland's Winter Festivals. Additional services encompass grant programs like Dandelion, Cost of Living Support resources, Football Equity initiatives, and educational programs such as Gathered Together. The organisation also maintains an extensive Publications library and Voting Rights Resources. These offerings work together to empower ethnic minority communities through advocacy, education, community development, and cultural celebration.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Race, Equality and Human Rights Network (REHRN) A national network evolved from the National Resilience Network (EMNRN, formed in 2020) that coordinates race equality and human rights work across Scotland, bringing together member organisations and stakeholders.
• Capacity Development Programme Works with new and established local ethnic minority community groups to help them get started, grow, and deliver their objectives, offering governance, operational and funding support.

Quantifiable outcome

• CERD Awareness Series reaching communities across Scotland with 13+ articles published between September-December 2025
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• CSREC (Central Scotland Racial Equality Council)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026Co-host of Falkirk's World Cup Village event, working together on community cohesion initiatives.
• Falkirk Football ClubsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026Provides venue support for community events including the World Cup Village at Falkirk Football Stadium Fanzone.
• The Falkirk FoundationsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026Community partner supporting the World Cup Village event and related community cohesion activities.
• COSLA (Convention of Scottish Local Authorities)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026Key stakeholder in refugee integration work, with Policy Manager Gayle Findlay participating in Hebridean Refugee Festival panel discussion.
• Comhairle nan Eilean SiarcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026Local authority partner in Outer Hebrides, with Commissioner Services Manager Graeme Millar participating in Hebridean Refugee Festival panel.
• Hebridean Refugee CommunitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026Local partner organisation co-organising the Hebridean Refugee Festival, founded by Murtaza Barlas.
• Museum nan EileansupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 June 2026Festival venue partner hosting the Hebridean Refugee Festival launch event in Stornoway.
• An LanntairsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 June 2026Arts centre venue partner in Stornoway hosting festival events including Limbo film screening and sculpture making.
• RefuweegeecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2025Community organisation co-hosting Human Rights Day Celebration event marking 10 years of Refuweegee.
• GRAMNet (Refugee and Migration Network)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Glasgow-affiliated network collaborating on film series and research activities.
• Scottish Parent Teacher Council (SPTC)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Gathered Together project supporting parental involvement of ethnic minorities in schools.
• Scottish Football AssociationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Football Equity Project promoting inclusion in football through the CashBack for Communities fund.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/bemis_scotland
• Facebookfacebook.com/bemisscotland
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bemis---black-and-ethnic-minority-infrastructure-in-scotland
• Instagraminstagram.com/bemis_scotland

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about BEMIS Scotland