News

Grants and awards | December 21, 2015

Multicultural grants now open

Community groups in the Lowan electorate are being encouraged to apply for a grant to run multicultural celebrations, festivals and events.

Nationals Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy said the Multicultural Festivals and Events Funding (MFE) Program 2015-16 provided not-for-profit groups with the opportunity to access grants ranging from $500 to $100,000.

“The purpose of the grant program is to support major festivals, conferences and special ethnic community events which aim to encourage participation of the whole community in celebrating and valuing cultural diversity,” she said.

Ms Kealy said a multicultural grant would help communities to celebrate and showcase different cultures and promote awareness, mutual respect and understanding”, she said.

“Larger events funded through MFE aim to assist new communities to deliver events by forming partnerships and by fostering intercultural relationships and understanding,” she said.

The MFE combines the previous Multicultural Festivals and Events grants and Unity Through Partnership grants and is accessible for festivals and events held between 1 January and 30 June 2016.

Applications close 24 January 2016 and further information is available at http://www.multicultural.vic.gov.au/grants/apply-for-a-grant

“The Lowan electorate welcomes people from a range of countries and cultures and I encourage community groups to use this funding to celebrate those people and cultures with the broader community,” Ms Kealy said.