Participation (Multicultural) Grants Program in Australia

Deadline: 5-Oct-22

The Inclusion and Participation Division of the ACT Community Services Directorate (CSD) is pleased to announce the availability of the 2022-23 Participation (Multicultural) Grant program.

Aims and Purpose

Priority will be given to applications that:

• strengthen and promote community inclusion and social connection through collaborative
• projects, events and programs
• raise community awareness of and respond to racism and discrimination
• promote, share and strengthen the value of Canberra’s cultural diversity
• celebrate and mark significant cultural days, celebrations and observances, and/or
• support access to services, programs and information in culturally appropriate ways.

Priority Areas

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Priority Area
  • As part of the ACT Government’s commitment to Closing the Gap for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, projects, activities or initiatives which contribute to closing the gap on disadvantage between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and other Canberrans will be viewed favourably.
• ACT Health and Wellbeing Priority Area
  • Projects and initiatives must demonstrate how they address any of the ACT Health and Wellbeing Framework outcomes.
• COVID-19 Safety Priority Area
  • COVID-19 is now part of our lives. Applications must address the measures to be taken in the implementation of the proposed projects and initiatives.

Funding Information

• The total funding available under this Program is $180,000.00 (GST exclusive) for programs, activities and events to be held in 2023.
• Cultural Celebrations: Grants of up to $2,000 per community organisation are available to help celebrate and mark significant cultural days, celebrations and observances; and
• Community participation, social connection and inclusion:
  • Larger grants are available for activities to:
    • strengthen and promote community inclusion and social connection;
    • raise community awareness of and respond to racism and discrimination;
    • promote, share and strengthen the value of Canberra’s cultural diversity; or
    • support access to services, programs and information.
  • The maximum non-recurrent total grant that can be applied for is $6,000.00 (GST exclusive)
  • A community in-kind or financial contribution of minimum 15% is required for projects and programs with a total value of more than $2,000.00. Please show the contribution amount in the budget section of the application.
• Successful recipients will have 12 months to expend the funding from the time of receiving the grant.

What funds can be used for?

• Applications may include proposals for projects and initiatives that:
  • strengthen community inclusion and social connection through collaborative programs, projects, activities and events involving the wider Canberra community
  • promote community inclusion through cross-cultural and inter-faith engagement programs, including Harmony Week
  • support community inclusion and social connection by providing access to programs and services in a culturally appropriate way including translated information and advice (for example swimming lessons, literacy classes, road and other community safety messages, skills development and social groups)
  • document the contribution of multicultural communities in the ACT through the collection and promotion of oral and printed history
  • enable Canberra’s multicultural communities to celebrate and mark significant cultural days, celebrations and observance
  • strengthen and promote Canberra as a Welcoming City
  • provide accessible services and programs for people from multicultural communities
  • support and build community connection and resilience.
• For Multicultural Community Broadcasters and Community Radio Stations, applications will also be considered for proposals to support:
  • subsidising of broadcasting fees (evidence is required)
  • the production of regular community language programs
  • initiatives which directly benefit local multicultural community broadcasters as a collective (for example training and information seminars)
  • special event broadcasts including weather and community safety information
  • translation of important community information and announcements
  • provision of necessary minor technical equipment not provided by the radio station
  • online community engagement sessions during the pandemic
  • community connection through programs / activities to build community resilience during the pandemic.

Eligibility Criteria

• Organisations that want to apply must:
  • be a legally incorporated entity or supported by an incorporated auspicing organisations
  • be a registered not-for-profit or a charitable organisation
  • have no overdue acquittal or reporting obligations for any previous CSD grants including evaluations, acquittal reports and audited financial statements.
• The application must:
  • list the roles and responsibilities of each group or organisation;
  • clarify who will take the lead, lodge the application and submit the final acquittal;
  • identify the financial contribution each is making to the project.
• Project Eligibility Requirements
  • Eligible projects must meet the aims of the Program by providing a service/program which will be located primarily in the ACT and primarily for the benefit of ACT residents.
  • Appropriate insurance cover must be held by the organisation implementing a funded project. This may include Public Liability of no less than $10 million dollars, Personal Accident, Volunteer Cover and or Directors Professional Indemnity. Evidence of insurance may be required as a condition of the grant.

For more information, visit ACT Government.

For more information, visit https://www.communityservices.act.gov.au/multicultural/grants