Deadline: 5 November 2019
The Australian Government is currently accepting applications through an open competitive process to apply to deliver services under the Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship Program: Fostering Integration Grants in 2019-20.
The objective of the grant opportunity is to facilitate the participation, integration and social cohesion of both newly arrived migrants and culturally diverse communities in Australia by:
- Encouraging the social and economic participation of migrants by developing skills and cultural competencies to integrate into Australian social, economic and civic life, and build community resilience.
- Promoting and encouraging the uptake of Australian values and liberal democracy and amplifying the value of Australian citizenship.
- Promoting a greater understanding and acceptance of racial, religious and cultural diversity.
- Addressing issues within Australian communities that show potential for or early signs of, low social integration.
The intended outcome of the grant opportunity is to contribute to an integrated and cohesive multicultural Australia where migrants:
- have capacity to communicate in English, the national language of Australia
- actively participate in Australian society through work, school, sport or other community activities
- embrace Australian values and abide by Australian laws
- are gainfully employed
- are resilient in times of crisis
- have social networks that cross ethnic and religious groups
- are welcomed and supported by the broader Australian community.
Grant Information
- The Australian Government has announced a total of $2.3 million GST exclusive for the 2019-20 financial year for Fostering Integration Grants.
- The total allocation for Fostering Integration Grants will be decided on completion of the selection process. This will depend on the number and quality of applications received.
- The minimum grant amount is $5,000 GST exclusive.
- The maximum grant amount is $60,000 GST exclusive.
- Successful organisations may receive less funding than requested.
Grant Period
Applicants must complete their grant activity within 12 months of the date the grant agreement is signed.
Priorities
- Priority will be given to:
- Small not-for-profit organisations who directly represent a specific culturally diverse community;
- Organisations who are strongly connected to the culturally diverse community and have a physical presence in that community.
- Preferred organisations may include culturally diverse community-specific organisations or mainstream organisations who are strongly connected to the culturally diverse community and have a physical presence in that community.
- Larger and well-established organisations are eligible to apply but should consider:
- Whether they have effective links with the target community to enable them to successfully deliver the project
- Supporting or partnering with smaller organisations in their applications.
Eligibility Criteria
- To be eligible, applicants must be a not-for-profit organisation that is legally registered in Australia and be one of the following entity types:
- Indigenous Corporation
- Cooperative
- Incorporated Association
- Trustee on behalf of a Trust
- As a not-for-profit organisation, applicants must demonstrate their not-for-profit status through one of the following:
- State or territory incorporated association registration number or certificate of incorporation,g. clubs and other associations.
- Current Australian Charities and Not for profits Commission’s (ACNC) registration, e.g. for organisations registered as a charity.
- Applicants must also have the following requirements in place before they apply for this grant opportunity, or be willing to register prior to the execution of the grant agreement:
- An Australian Business Number (ABN).
- An account with an Australian financial institution.
- Applications from consortia are acceptable, as long as applicants have a lead applicant who is solely accountable to the Commonwealth for the delivery of grant activities and is an eligible entity. Eligible organisations can form consortia with ineligible organisations.
Eligible Grant Activities
To be eligible, Grant activities must directly relate to the objectives of the grant opportunity. Examples of eligible projects include:
- Festivals, multicultural events, and community functions that showcase elements of cultural heritage to the broader community in order to increase understanding and awareness of racial, religious and cultural diversity
- Increasing understanding of Australian values by fostering social interactions between established and emerging migrant communities
- Provision of work experience to migrants to help overcome employment barriers increasing the capacity of youth leaders to represent, engage and support their peers
- Innovative arts projects to unite diverse communities
- Working with children on anti-racism workshops
- Supporting recently arrived migrant women to connect with well-established women in the community to increase social networks
- Supporting Muslim women who have experienced racism to develop ways to increase community understanding of Islam
- Assisting migrants to develop a greater understanding of the responsibilities of Australian Citizenship, uptake Australian values and abide by Australian laws
- Using sport to increase social interaction between different cultural groups as well as to engage with youth on Australian values and increase understanding of cultural diversity
- Innovative projects using digital platforms to engage with and support socially isolated women and young people and/or promote the benefits of integration to the wider community
How to Apply
Interested applicants can apply online via the given website.
For more information, please visit https://www.communitygrants.gov.au/grants/fostering-integration-grants-0