Project funding to help strengthen a multicultural Queensland

• Grants totalling $1.7 million have been allocated through the Celebrating Multicultural Queensland program for community-led projects to build social and economic participation
• A total of 29 organisations will share in the funding
• Projects will create opportunities for Queenslanders from diverse cultural backgrounds to fully participate in their local communities

Twenty-nine organisations will receive a share of almost $1.7 million to help build a more inclusive multicultural Queensland by delivering community-led projects that support social and economic participation and young people.

This year’s recipients of the Celebrating Multicultural Queensland program’s project funding round will help create opportunities for people from diverse cultural backgrounds to better connect and contribute to their communities.

Fourteen projects across Queensland will share nearly $505,000 to create more economic and social opportunities for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. 

This will include empowering and supporting women from migrant and refugee backgrounds and First Nation women into the construction industry in Cairns, providing English classes and a one-on-one buddy program to help newly arrived Australians in Brisbane, and a specialised driver education program in Townsville.

In addition, another 15 projects will receive almost $1.2 million to engage young people from culturally diverse backgrounds to help break down barriers and increase their access to, and inclusion within, their community.

These include a science, technology, engineering and maths skills project to expand study and career pathways for young girls in Townsville, and a youth mentoring and support hub program that will provide social and educational activities for those facing significant barriers to participation in school and community life in Brisbane.

Other projects include an Ubuntu theatre training and life skills project for young people from diverse African backgrounds in Cairns.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Multicultural Affairs Charis Mullen:

“I’m delighted to know these projects will build on the many things Queenslanders are already doing to help their communities flourish.

“As Queenslanders, we are stronger when we ensure everyone has the chance to forge connections and contribute their skills to their local community – it’s how we can build a more inclusive, harmonious and united state.

“I look forward to seeing these projects help break down barriers that may prevent some people from realising their ambitions and fully participating in the social and economic life of their community.”

Quotes attributable to Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland CEO Lisa Ward.

“The CMQ projects grants are critical to empowering community groups to develop and implement community-led solutions to the key challenges they face.

“The Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland commend Multicultural Affairs Queensland for ensuring there are opportunities for multicultural community organisations to access funds to do this essential work.

“By having community-led projects, multicultural Queenslanders can have effective, culturally safe, accessible supports to meet some of the specific needs they have identified.”  

Further information:

• $1.7 million has been allocated under the 2023–24 Celebrating Multicultural Queensland project funding round through two categories: the Economic and Social Participation category and the Youth and Community Connection category.
• Further information about the Celebrating Multicultural Queensland program can be found at www.des.qld.gov.au/cmq-program

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