- Applications have opened for the $1.7 million Strengthening Multicultural Queensland grants program
- One-off funding of up to $100,000 will be available for multicultural projects that engage culturally and linguistically diverse people and the wider community
- Projects will be delivered from 1 July 2025
Applications are open for a $1.7 million grants program for multicultural projects that work to break down barriers and create opportunities for culturally and linguistically diverse Queenslanders.
The Strengthening Multicultural Queensland (SMQ) program will fund projects aimed at boosting economic participation, building community capacity to address issues such as healthy relationships in culturally appropriate ways, and supporting the positive participation of young people in their communities.
The program consists of two categories – Empowering Multicultural Community projects, and Youth and Community Connection projects.
Eligible applicants are invited to apply for one-off funding of up to $100,000 in each category.
Funding was previously distributed under the Celebrating Multicultural Queensland program, which will continue to allocate funds for events and festivals.
SMQ project funding applications are open between Monday 16 September and Tuesday 12 November 2024, for projects to be delivered from 1 July 2025.
Community groups, not-for-profit organisations, sporting clubs, youth groups, P&C associations and multicultural organisations are encouraged to apply.
Outcomes are expected to be announced by the end of March 2025.
As stated by Minister for Multicultural Affairs Charis Mullen:
"The Strengthening Multicultural Queensland program is about community-led projects that support the aspirations of people from diverse cultural backgrounds.
"In previous funding rounds, we've seen some strong, innovative applications for projects, showing the commitment of community groups and organisations to build a more united, harmonious and inclusive Queensland.
"The Strengthening Multicultural Queensland program will better enable the community to identify and advise government on priority needs and issues for people from migrant, refugee, asylum seeker and Australian South Sea Islander backgrounds.
"The popular Celebrating Multicultural Queensland program will also continue to allocate funding for our exciting multicultural events.
"I encourage organisations across the state to get involved.
"Your project proposal could make a real difference and support more Queenslanders to connect, contribute and belong."
As stated by Top Blokes Foundation chief executive officer Melissa Abu-Gazaleh, a 2023 funding recipient:
"The grant allowed us to begin a mentoring program at five highly diverse schools in Brisbane, Logan and Toowoomba.
"Each school identified a group of young men from diverse backgrounds struggling with their mental health at a crisis level.
"We have delivered 10 mentoring programs, supporting 127 young males.
"The program has shown amazingly positive results – 84 per cent of participants reported improved mental health, 97 per cent reported a reduction in risk-taking and anti-social behaviours, and 81 per cent reported improved relationships with friends and family.
"One participant said: 'Top Blokes has helped me in every way – mainly school, friends, understanding life and being a good man, taking care of myself'."
