Minister for Multiculturalism John Ajaka today announced the successful recipients of the NSW Government’s highly successful Community in Partnership, Taking Action, or COMPACT, Grants Program designed to better engage young people and safeguard our community.
In response to strong interest from 181 community organisations, the COMPACT Program’s funding pool has expanded from $4 million to $8 million over four years, doubling the amount initially announced.
Under the COMPACT Program, an alliance of 14 experienced community organisations and their 23 partners will deliver local solutions-based projects that bring young people together, and engage critically, creatively and constructively on issues impacting on social cohesion and community harmony.
Projects have been awarded between $150,000 to $750,000 in funding, and will run for between 2 to 4 years.
“The NSW Government has listened closely to the views of community leaders, academics and law enforcement about what works and doesn’t work on the ground when it comes to engaging young people and strengthening communities,” Mr Ajaka said.
“The feedback was clear – violent extremism is a social problem, long before it is a law enforcement problem.
“By working with people, families and communities earlier, we can better engage young people to safeguard them extremist influences and make our community more resilient.”
COMPACT partners will be subject to on-going monitoring and evaluation by Multicultural NSW. Partners will receive funding based on key milestones, with opportunities for interim evaluation and adaption. Furthermore, an overall evaluation plan will be developed by independent experts in consultation with Government.
For more information on the COMPACT Program, visit http://multicultural.nsw.gov.au/
