Applications for multicultural events and festivals being held in Victoria between 1 January and 30 June 2015 are now open.

These grants offer funding for community events and festivals that celebrate and preserve cultural traditions in meaningful ways, encourage inclusive participation and relationship building with the broader community in celebrating and valuing cultural diversity, and foster cross cultural exchanges that help to build inter-cultural relationships.

Furthermore, the events and festivals should promote mutual respect, awareness and understanding of cultural diversity, highlight the contribution to Victoria by multicultural communities, and engage in dialogue and information sharing that provides a platform for meaningful civic engagement and community service.

Schools are eligible to apply for funding in Round Two for Cultural Diversity Week events (14 March to 22 March 2015), for activities that build intercultural understanding and/or embed global and multicultural citizenship perspectives. Activities that engage and build partnerships between the school and multicultural communities will be prioritised.

The closing date for applications is midnight Monday 4 August 2014.

You can access a link to the online application form through the website: www.omac.smartygrants.com.au/festivalsroundtwo

Applications for 2014-15 Round One closed on Friday 28 March 2014. The round will fund events held between 1 July and 31 December 2014. Applicants were sent written notification advising the outcome of their grant application in late June.

For further information, contact the Grants Information Line on 1300 366 356 between 8.30 am and 5.00 pm Monday to Friday or email community.grants@dpc.vic.gov.au

In the meantime, applications for Multicultural Senior Citizens Organisational Support grants for funding for 2015 will be opening in mid-to-late July. Hardcopy application forms will be posted to all seniors organisations who received the grant in 2014.

Applications can be completed online once the round opens.

Further questions or enquiries can be made to the Grants Information Line on 1300 366 356 between 8.30 am and 5.00 pm Monday to Friday, or by contacting the Community Grants Team at the VMC on 03 9651 0641 or 03 9651 0653.