Project funding helps build a stronger multicultural Queensland

• Twenty organisations will share in almost $1 million in Celebrating Multicultural Queensland funding to build social and economic participation throughout the state.
• Successful recipients include a multicultural playgroup in Biloela, a financial literacy and wellbeing program on the Gold Coast, and targeted programs to reduce risk-taking behaviours among young people in South East Queensland.
• The funding will help create opportunities for Queenslanders from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Twenty Queensland organisations will share in almost $1 million in funding to support greater inclusion for diverse groups in Queensland by focusing on investing in young people and social and economic participation.

Multicultural Affairs Minister Leanne Linard said this year’s recipients of the Celebrating Multicultural Queensland program’s project funding round will help create opportunities for residents from diverse cultural backgrounds to better connect and contribute to their communities.

Across the state, 10 projects will share more than $300,000 to create more economic and social opportunities for Queenslanders from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Successful applicants in this category include a multicultural playgroup for migrant families in Biloela, a Brisbane-based training and mentoring program for migrant women to find pathways to employment, and a financial literacy and mental health program on the Gold Coast to help diverse communities experiencing financial and mental health stress.

A further 10 projects will share in almost $700,000 to engage young people from culturally diverse backgrounds to become more independent, active members of their community.

These projects include a mentoring program for young men across Brisbane, Ipswich and Toowoomba to improve mental health and reduce risk-taking behaviours, a tutoring program in Ipswich to address a gap in homework support for young people supported by mother tongue learning opportunities, and targeted mentoring and empowerment programs for young people in Cairns and Townsville.

The wide range of projects will help break down barriers that may prevent some people from realising their ambitions and fully participating in the social and economic life of their local community.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Multicultural Affairs Leanne Linard:

“Queensland is one of the most culturally diverse places in the world. Along with our First Nations Peoples, we speak hundreds of different languages and dialects, identify with a diverse range of religious beliefs and traditions, and come from many different countries and territories.

“While we are all Queenslanders, we have different cultural identities and heritage, and it’s important that we nurture these while also finding those things that connect us.

“By funding these great projects, we continue to build on the many things Queenslanders are already doing to help their communities thrive,” the Minister said.

“As Queenslanders, we are stronger when we work together to ensure everyone has the opportunity to forge connections and contribute their skills to their local community – it’s how we can build better social and economic inclusion.

“I’m always impressed by the applications received and hope to keep seeing Queenslanders step up to help their communities thrive.”

Further information:

Full list of recipients:

Funding of $1 million is available for the 2022–23 Celebrating Multicultural Queensland project funding round under two categories.

The Economic and Social Participation category received 48 applications, while the Youth and Community Connections category received 46 applications.

ENDS

Media contact – Scott Chandler (07) 3719 7339