Celebrating Multicultural Queensland program

The Celebrating Multicultural Queensland (CMQ) program provides funding towards multicultural events and projects that engage culturally diverse communities, groups and individuals, and the broader community, to partner and contribute to building an inclusive, harmonious and united Queensland.

The Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs acknowledges the cultural diversity of First Nations peoples. However, for the purposes of the CMQ program, the term ‘culturally diverse’ refers to people from migrant and refugee backgrounds, people seeking asylum, and Australian South Sea Islander peoples.

Program objective

The objective of the CMQ program, in alignment with the Multicultural Queensland Charter, is to provide funding towards events and projects that promote:

  • Queensland's multicultural identity;
  • intercultural connections and community participation;
  • increased understanding between diverse cultural groups;
  • increased opportunities to support the economic and social aspirations of people from culturally diverse backgrounds;
  • increased community capacity to address emerging issues and foster access to services; and/or
  • increased engagement of general community groups in connecting and welcoming people from culturally diverse backgrounds into a wide range of community activities.

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Multicultural events

Funding rounds — Opens 1 June and closes 13 July each year for events to be delivered in the following calendar year, for example:

  • Funding round opening on 1 June 2022 is for events to be delivered in 2023
  • Funding round opening on 1 June 2023 is for events to be delivered in 2024.

Examples of the types of events the program supports are:

  • A festival that showcases the cultures and traditions of multiple cultural groups to enhance appreciation and recognition of the diverse cultures in Queensland and promote community awareness about the benefits of multiculturalism.
  • A cultural event that celebrates the traditions of people from a particular cultural group or community, together with the wider community, usually held on a date of cultural significance or as a celebration of cultural heritage.

Funding outcomes for multicultural events are expected to be announced by 31 October of each year. All applicants will be notified by email of their funding application outcome.

For information about previous successful recipients refer below to 'Previous successful applications'.

All successful events are included in the Events Calendar. View the Events Calendar for information on upcoming events, festivals and celebrations.

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2023 Multicultural events

The 2022-23 multicultural events funding round is now closed.

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Multicultural projects

Funding rounds — Opens 1 October and closes 12 November each year for projects to be delivered in the following financial year, for example:

  • Funding round opening on 1 October 2022 is for projects to be delivered from 1 July 2023.
  • Funding round opening on 1 October 2023 is for projects to be delivered from 1 July 2024.

There are two categories for project funding under each funding round:

  • Category 1 – Economic and Social Participation (E&SP) Projects
    • Pathways to economic and social participation – projects based on identified need that aim to support economic and social participation – one-off funding up to $40,000.
  • Category 2 – Youth and Community Connection (Y&CC) Projects
    • For innovative projects that can assist with breaking down the barriers facing young people from CALD backgrounds that can result in feelings of disengagement or disconnection with community. These projects will enable young people to feel heard, valued, supported and empowered, resulting in their increased access to, and inclusion within the community – one-off funding up to $120,000.

Examples of the types of projects the program supports are:

  • Community based activities (such as workshops, training, skills development, knowledge and awareness raising, fostering social connections) to address an identified issue, which are conducted over a period of time with key deliverables/milestones and specified anticipated outcomes.
  • Targeted activities that provide benefits for groups of individuals, such as increased community participation, economic independence, inclusion or access to opportunities within the local community.

Funding outcomes for multicultural projects are expected to be announced by the end of March each year. All applicants will be notified by email of their funding application outcome.

For information about previous successful recipients refer below to 'Previous successful applications'.

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2022-23 Multicultural projects

The 2022-23 multicultural projects funding round for projects to be delivered from 1 July 2023 is now open.

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Who is eligible to apply?

  • Not-for-profit/charitable organisations that are legally registered in Australia;
  • Non-government not-for-profit organisations;
  • Local Government bodies;
  • State School P&C Associations; and
  • Charitable institutions.

 Eligible organisations must:

  • have a registered and active Australian Business Number (ABN) or hold an exemption from registration;
    • If you are not incorporated or do not have an active ABN, you can ask an eligible organisation to auspice your event or project. If successful in receiving funding, the auspicing organisation will be required to enter into a funding agreement, to receive the funds and to submit reports.
  • have operations or deliver ongoing services in Queensland;
  • hold public liability insurance to the value of not less than $10 million, or provide evidence of plans to obtain insurance to the value of not less than $10 million to cover the proposed event or project; and
  • have no overdue reports, or service delivery or performance issues for funding provided by the Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs.

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How to apply

1. Ensure you:

2. Apply online through SmartyGrants.

SmartyGrants will automatically close at 11.59pm on the closing date and will not allow applications past this time. Please ensure you allow adequate time to submit your application. Applications and supporting documentation will not be accepted after this time to ensure fairness to all applicants.

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Help with applying

If after reading the guidelines you still have questions or you require further information about the program, you can contact the Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs by email at MAfunding@cyjma.qld.gov.au.

If you need support with grant applications, please contact the Community Sector Manager, Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland (ECCQ), by emailing advocacy@eccq.com.au.You can also visit ECCQ’s website at https://eccq.com.au/what-we-do/strengthening-communities/community-sector-development/ to access online and easily accessible resources and information on education workshops.

To assist in preparing your application for the project funding round, the Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland will be hosting a workshop, ‘Project Design for Grant Writing’, from 9.30am to 1.30pm on Saturday, 1 October 2022. The workshop will be held at the West End Activities Centre, 53 Thomas Street, West End. If you would like to register for this workshop, please email advocacy@eccq.com.au

For more information about applying online, you can read the SmartyGrants - Help Guide for Applicants. If you are having difficulties with your SmartyGrants account, you can contact SmartyGrants Technical Support on (03) 9320 6888 or service@smartygrants.com.au. Support desk hours are 9:00am to 5:00pm AEST, Monday to Friday.

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Successful applicants

All applicants successful in receiving funding will be required to:

  • enter into a funding agreement which comprises of the approval letter, funding guidelines, the submitted application, and the Terms and Conditions (PDF). “Particulars” in the Terms and Conditions means your submitted application;
  • comply with any relevant laws and regulations, such as the requirements for working with children, in the delivery of the event or project;
  • acknowledge the Queensland Government funding with the use of the Queensland Government crest on all promotional material associated with the funded event or project;
  • submit any online forms, such as Progress Reports (if required), Event Details Confirmation forms (if required), and Acquittal Reports by the specified due dates;
  • submit an online Variation Form to request any proposed changes to the funded event or project, (e.g.: change in activity title, dates, locations, proposed attendance, funded activities or scope);
  • immediately inform the Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs of the cancellation of the funded event or project via email to MAfunding@cyjma.qld.gov.au.

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Events calendar

  • Funded events are automatically included in the Events calendar.
  • You can also use our event registration form to seek approval to promote other eligible events and project activities on the calendar.

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Planning an event

There are a number of resources available to assist event organisers to successfully plan and manage an event including the Events in Queensland, Best Practice Guidelines for event delivery in Queensland..

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Community Facilities and Venues for Hire

There are a number of venue options available in your local area to host a meeting or event. A list has been compiled to help locate venues for hire in your community.

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Previous successful applications

* Due to social distancing restrictions as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic, many of the 2020 and 2021 funded events were postponed. The Events calendar will be updated with information on new dates when they are known.

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More information

If you would like to receive email communications about multicultural topics, including the opening of future funding rounds, complete the online registration form and select 'Government funding' under Areas of Interest.

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