Ninety multicultural community organisations will share in $750,000 in Victorian Government funding to hold festivals and events celebrating the state’s vibrant multiculturalism.

Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ingrid Stitt announced the grants recognising the importance of Victoria’s diverse and vibrant population.

The grants are the latest round of the Multicultural Festivals and Events Program and Regional Multicultural Festivals and Events Program.

“The Multicultural Festival and Events Program is at the heart of what makes Victoria great –giving communities the chance to showcase their traditions, preserve their heritage and create a more connected state,” Minister Stitt said.

“Our strength lies in our diversity and these grants help foster inclusion, connection and a shared sense of belonging for Victorians of all backgrounds,” she said.

Each program supports communities to celebrate and share their heritage and connect with other Victorians – helping to preserve traditions and encourage the broader Victorian community to take part in events that help with learning, understanding and respect for different cultures and traditions.

The successful community organisations to receive funding from the programs represent the diverse cultural landscape of Victoria, including over 27 ethnicities with events taking place across 10 regional and 22 metropolitan local government areas.

Funding in this round also supports new and emerging communities, like our Afghan community. A recipient of funding, the Victorian Afghan Associations Network (VAAN) will host their Nawroz Festival this year to celebrate the beginning of springtime, which is celebrated by the majority of the Afghan diaspora around the world.

The VAAN works to strengthen coordination among Afghan associations in Victoria, support community needs and creates opportunities to connect through events, publications and financial assistance.

Melbourne Somali Community Inc., which supports Victoria’s Somali community through inclusion and development in Melbourne’s inner-city suburbs, received funding for its Multicultural Eid Festival, a celebration of the end of Ramadan for local public housing residents.

Since 2014, the Victorian Government has invested more than $42 million to deliver close to 10,000 multicultural festivals and events across the state. The full list of successful recipients can be found here: Multicultural Festivals and Events Program | vic.gov.au