Western Australia’s culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) community associations have now shared in $1 million in grant funding to deliver projects to strengthen local communities.
The annual funding for the popular Community Grants Program (CGP) has doubled from $500,000 following a key election commitment by the McGowan Government.
This year’s funding of $1 million has meant more community-strengthening projects could be supported – from support for mental health to women’s empowerment.
Over the year grants have enabled 58 CaLD community associations to design, deliver and partner on activities that directly support their community’s needs.
The latest round of projects to be awarded funding include:
- Club Malayalam Inc in Kingsley will host facilitated discussion panels for the Malayalam community that encourage open dialogue about mental health;
- The Australian Asian Association of Western Australia will run driving lessons and driver theory classes for women from migrant and refugee backgrounds using multi-lingual female instructors from CaLD backgrounds;
- Umbrella Multicultural Community Care Services Inc in Belmont will trial a new cross-sector service model that will increase the wellbeing, social connectedness, and self-reliance of LGBTQI+ people from CaLD backgrounds; and
- The Hindu Association of Pilbara will host a community festival featuring colourful floral arrangements, traditional song and dance performances and storytelling to mark the traditional Hindu celebration of Onam in Karratha.
Funding is awarded through the Office of Multicultural Interests CGP, which supports activities led by culturally and linguistically diverse communities and specialist CaLD community service providers in WA.
It follows the $3 million Community Capital Works Fund announced last year, providing support to culturally and linguistically diverse community associations to improve their facilities.
For more information about the CGP and for a full list of funding recipients please visit omi.wa.gov.au
As stated by Citizenship and Multicultural Interests Minister Dr Tony Buti:
“These outcomes are the result of the Government’s 2021 election commitment to double the Community Grants Program budget to $1 million.
“This funding ensures that culturally and linguistically diverse communities of Western Australia can better address their needs and share their cultures and traditions.
“WA has one of the most culturally diverse populations in the world and we are a stronger and more vibrant community because of that diversity and the opportunities it presents.
“It is vital to our vibrant and successful multicultural State that we support and celebrate our culturally and linguistically diverse communities.”
