A DTI scheme that offers not-for-profit organisations grants for increasing awareness of new employment equality rules is to receive a £1.3 million shot in the arm.

Employers' bodies, unions, voluntary and community bodies are among those that can apply to the scheme for the 2004-05 financial year.

The new money, announced by industry minister Jacqui Smith, is intended to fund work to improve understanding of the Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation and Religion or Belief) Regulations that came into force at the start of December last year.

“These new regulations outlaw discrimination at work on the grounds of sexual orientation and religion for the first time and offers basic rights to people who experience discrimination,” Ms Smith said.

The deadline for submissions is 21 July.

More details are available at the DTI website.