Multicultural community organisations can now apply to promote participation and cohesion, cultural diversity, and social inclusion – in a COVID-safe way. Today, the ACT Government opened the Multicultural Participation Grants Program.
Grants of up to $2,000 per community organisation are available through the program to celebrate and mark significant cultural days, celebrations, and observances.
Larger grants are also available for programs, projects, activities, or events that:
- strengthen and promote community inclusion
- promote and share the value of Canberra’s cultural diversity, or
- enable and facilitate access to services, programs, and information in culturally appropriate ways.
Applications close at midday on Monday, 29 November. For further information on the grants and how to apply, visit https://www.communityservices.act.gov.au/multicultural/programs/grants.
ACT Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Tara Cheyne encouraged community organisations to apply for funding for creative ideas and initiatives that would add value to the community, fill gaps in services, strengthen existing networks, and build stronger community capacity.
“We are a city that values inclusion and social cohesion, and this is reflected in how we have responded to the challenges we have encountered recently,” Ms Cheyne said. “We are a multicultural community, and will continue to celebrate diversity in all its forms as we move forward together. These grants help us to continue to celebrate the diversity that makes our city so unique.”
Under the 2020-21 program, 49 organisations were funded to deliver mental health workshops, financial literacy training, and programs to empower and facilitate independence for women. Cultural events and celebrations were also funded, such as Idul Fitri, Diwali, Mosque Open Day, and many others.
Alo-Enlightened Women, for instance, received a grant to help ethnic women become financially literate and aware of financial management and abuse.
“The grant program offers a great opportunity for non-profit organisations to realise their vision in helping the community for better social inclusion,” said the organisation’s founder, Dr Lubna Alam.
