Six hundred multicultural community organisations will receive grants worth $2.2 million announced the Minister of Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship, Nicholas Kotsiras.
900 grants will help fund operational costs, the development of festivals and events, renovations to community buildings and help community language schools.
Mr Kotsiras says “the grants will benefit more than 600 community organisations that work to support Victoria’s multicultural communities”.
“These organisations support the maintenance of communities’ cultural and religious traditions as well as assist communities to fully participate in the life of Victoria,” he said.
The largest sums of grants will be given to organisational support, giving more than $700,000 to 500 organisations that need it most.
A large sum will also be granted to strengthening multicultural communities, with $600,000 given to over 100 organisations.
Festivals and building programs will be given $800,000 and 50 educational organisations will benefit with 110,000.
The Minister pointed to the 2011 Census as a confirmation that the multicultural nature of Australia has grown significantly, especially in Victoria.
“There is no doubt that Victoria is Australia’s multicultural epicentre and the 2011 Census confirms it” Mr Kotsiras said.
“Victoria’s growing cultural, religious and linguistic diversity is one of our State’s greatest strengths and the Victorian Coalition Government is a strong supporter of our multicultural communities.”