Grants in excess of $700,000 for Victoria’s multicultural community
organisations were announced this week by Minister for Multicultural Affairs and
Citizenship Nicholas Kotsiras through the Community Grants Program.
Mr Kotsiras said the first round of multicultural festivals and events
grants from the Victorian Multicultural Commission for 2013-14 provides vital
funding to community organisations to celebrate and share their culture with the
wider community.
“Victoria’s growing cultural diversity is one of our
state’s greatest strengths and the Victorian Coalition Government is proud to
support grassroots community organisations that work to promote the diversity
that makes Victoria such a great place to live,” Mr Kotsiras said.
“More
than 270 community organisations will share in funding through this grant round
to host community festivals and events this year.
“Events may range from
Women’s and Youth Association groups sharing in music, dance, fashion and food,
to major public festivals such as the Australian Association for Indian Culture
and Education’s Diwali – The Festival of Lights event, held in the Ballarat
region.
“As one of the world’s most culturally diverse communities, Victoria
is home to people from more than 200 countries who between them follow one of
135 different faiths.
“The Victorian Coalition Government is a strong
supporter of our multicultural communities, and I encourage the community to
share in the many cultural offerings through the coming festivals and events,”
Mr Kotsiras said.
Applications for the second round of Multicultural
Festivals and Events grants through the Victorian Multicultural Commission are
now open.