To celebrate Harmony Day, Minister for Multiculturalism John Ajaka today announced more than $300,000 in funding for 22 innovative projects to combat racism, help refugees settle into the community and bring culturally diverse communities together.
The 2015/16 Unity Grants, which form part of the Multicultural NSW Grants Program, provide funding of up to $30,000 for projects that bring culturally diverse communities together and promote social cohesion and harmony.
“We are blessed to live in a peaceful, prosperous and diverse community. But, this didn’t happen overnight, and it didn’t happen without the hard work of our communities and their leaders,” Mr Ajaka said.
“Through the Unity Grants Program, we are investing in innovative projects that will make a positive difference to people’s lives and will unify our community.
“I congratulate the successful recipients who have developed great ideas and projects to ensure our community remains strong and united.”
Successful projects include:
· helping Auburn PCYC address social isolation in young people in the local community;
· helping vulnerable female refugees in the Hunter find jobs and work towards financial independence;
· supporting young multicultural leaders in Wagga Wagga to host events and activities focused on promoting social harmony; and
· funding a Mobile Multicultural Men’s Shed to travel around the Hunter to help seniors from culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
Priority areas for the 2015/16 Unity Grants were to combat racism, build intergenerational understanding, build interfaith understanding, assist Safe Haven Entrant Visa (SHEV) and Temporary Protection Visa (TPV) holders pathways into employment and promote the innovative use of social media to address issues relating to harmony.
For more information about the Multicultural NSW Grants Program, visit http://multicultural.nsw.gov.au/
