NEW ROUND OF MULTICULTURAL GRANTS AVAILABLE
Christine Campbell, MP, Member for Pascoe Vale, today said that multicultural community and social groups in the Pascoe Vale Electorate can share in $4.6 million in Brumby Labor Government grants to strengthen, support and celebrate our rich cultural diversity.
Ms Campbell said groups could now apply for a range of funding grants for 2010 through the Community Grants Program.
The grants include organisational support for multicultural groups, improvements to buildings and facilities, educational programs and projects that strengthen and promote multiculturalism.
“Victorians take great pride in our diverse multicultural heritage and that’s why we are pleased to support programs that both promote and strengthen our rich diversity,” Ms Campbell said.
“We come from more than 200 countries of origin, speak over 200 languages and dialects and follow more than 110 faiths and these grants further enhance Victoria’s reputation in being a harmonious, vibrant and cohesive community.
“The Community Grants Program plays a vital role in supporting and empowering our culturally, religiously and linguistically diverse communities.”
The categories of the Community Grants Program include:
- Organisational Support Grants: Providing financial assistance for the general activities of multicultural organisations, including multicultural senior citizens clubs;
- Strengthening Multicultural Communities: Support for projects that help multicultural communities better integrate into community life, support for migrant or refugee women and young people or for the development of local multicultural heritage projects;
- Buildings and Facilities Improvement Grants: Assistance for multicultural community organisations for upgrades or improvements to their buildings or facilities;
- Educational Program Grants - Support for new and existing community languages schools and development of classroom teaching materials for Victorian students;
- Promoting Multicultural and Multifaith Harmony: Partnership projects that promote interfaith dialogue and community harmony develop and enhance interfaith networks.
Minister assisting the Premier on Multicultural Affairs James Merlino said the Brumby Labor Government this year provided grants to more than 1600 multicultural community groups throughout Melbourne and regional Victoria.
“The aim of the grants program is to strengthen the capacity of individuals and groups to manage their affairs, support and inspire their local communities and participate in all aspects of the Victorian community,” Mr Merlino said.
For more information about the full range of grants available go to www.multicultural.vic.gov.au or call the Grant Information Line on 1300 366 356.
Applications close Friday 18 December 2009.