Multicultural NSW Grants Closing Date Extended

Applications for Unity and Celebration Grants, part of the new $1.6 million Multicultural NSW Grants Program, had been extended by two weeks until Friday, 14 November, announced the Minister for Citizenship and Communities Victor Dominello

Mr Dominello said the grants program, comprised of Unity, Celebration, Support and Partnership Grants, had been established earlier this month after extensive stakeholder consultation on Multicultural NSW’s new strategic plan, Harmony in Action.

“Unity and Celebration Grants, which are currently open for applications, will support Multicultural NSW to build and maintain a cohesive and harmonious multicultural society that enriches the lives of all people in NSW,” Mr Dominello said. “These two categories seek to balance the equation between the need to celebrate our cultural diversity and the need to promote our common values.

“Unity Grants funding of up to $30,000 will be targeted towards projects which bring culturally diverse communities together to promote social cohesion and harmony. This means focusing on those aspects of our identity which unite us, including our volunteering ethos, honouring those who have served in defence of our freedoms and understanding our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage.

“It means supporting cross-cultural engagement projects which seek to combat racism; empower multicultural women and girls; and encourage intercultural engagement between young people through sport, among others.

“Celebration grants funding up to $5,000 will be provided for events and festivals which bring communities together, showcase the benefits of cultural diversity, and promote social cohesion and harmony. These grants will open three times per year,” he said.

Multicultural NSW Chief Executive Officer Hakan Harman said the Advisory Board had identified priority areas for Unity grants based on their knowledge and research of issues affecting communities.

“I encourage local councils and non-profit community organisations to put forward funding proposals which respond to one or more of the five priority areas established by the Multicultural NSW Advisory Board for the Unity grants,” Mr Harman said.

More information about the Unity and Celebration Grants can be found on the CRC/Multicultural NSW website. Partnership Grants applications will open in November and Support Grants in March 2015.