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.
The objective of the CMQ program, in alignment with the Multicultural Queensland Charter, is to provide funding towards events and projects that promote:
Multicultural Events - Opens 1 June and closes 13 July each year for events to be delivered in the following calendar year, for example:
Examples of the types of events the program supports are:
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.
The 2022-23 multicultural events funding round is now open for applications and will close at 11:59pm, 13 July 2022.
Eligible applicants can apply for one-off funding of up to $20,000 per event, to be delivered in the 2023 calendar year.
Multicultural Projects - Opens 1 October and closes 12 November each year for projects to be delivered in the following financial year, for example:
Examples of the types of projects the program supports are:
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'.
The successful recipients receiving funding under the 2021-22 CMQ program’s Economic and Social Participation and Youth and Community Connection project categories were announced with funding of nearly $1 million allocated to a total of 22 projects to be delivered across Queensland from 1 July 2022 that will empower young people and create pathways to economic and social participation for people from culturally diverse backgrounds.
Find out more about the 2021-22 grant recipients 2021-22 grant recipients .
Eligible organisations must:
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.
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 advice on grant design, writing assistance or one-on-one support, please contact Ms Carrie Barnett at Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland (ECCQ) on carrieb@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 and funding readiness clinics.
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.
All applicants successful in receiving funding will be required to:
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..
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.
* 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.
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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