Minister for Citizenship and Communities Victor Dominello today announced a second round of NSW Government grants of up to $20,000 to help fund projects focusing on inter-cultural and inter-faith activities.

Community Inclusion Grants, part of the Community Relation Commission’s $1.4 million Multicultural Advantage Grants Program, support local organisations which work to promote community harmony.

“Our cultural diversity is an important economic asset and we want to invest in projects which strengthen it.

“In this second round, we have decided to focus on assisting organisations which represent emerging or less-established multicultural communities.

“We recognise the challenges smaller organisations face in attracting volunteers and raising funds and we encourage them to apply for financial support for projects which promote community harmony, offer mentoring and target geographically or socially isolated communities,” Mr Dominello said.

Examples of projects which received funding in the first round include:

• A series of seminars to combat racism in schools;
• An interschool sports day to promote fitness among young migrant women;
• A social support program for elderly people from a minority migrant group; and
• A mental health awareness program for young migrants in a regional community

The second round grants will help fund projects with a particular focus on activities that bring diverse groups of people together by strengthening community infrastructures and cultural initiatives.

The CRC will hold four Community Inclusion Grant information sessions, starting next week, to assist people to understand the guidelines and the application process (details below).

Community Inclusion Grant Information Sessions:

DATE	TIME	VENUE	RSVP by:
Tuesday, 11 February	6 – 8pm	Immigrant Women’s Health McBurney Road, Cabramatta (near Railway Parade, behind the PCYC, front entrance faces Cabra Vale Park)	Friday, 7 February
Wednesday, 12 February	6 – 8pm	Community Relations Commission, Sydney Office Level 7, 175 Castlereagh Street, Sydney	Friday, 7 February
Tuesday, 18 February	6 – 8pm	Arab Council Australia Level 1, 194 Stacey Street Bankstown NSW	Friday, 14 February
Thursday, 20 February	6 – 8pm	Liverpool Migrant Resource Centre Ground Floor, 108 Moore Street, Liverpool	Friday, 14