Grants available for projects promoting community harmony

17/2/95

Western Australia's status as one of the most harmonious multicultural societies in the world will be enhanced with a new round of grants available for projects which promote community harmony.

Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Minister Paul Omodei said WA had the highest proportion of overseas-born persons of any State in Australia, making it one of the most culturally and linguistically diverse communities in the nation.

Census data listed almost 200 countries as the birthplaces of people now living in WA.

The Community Relations Grants Program offers grants of up to $2,000 to non-profit community groups wishing to undertake projects which:

·       enable ethnic communities to share their culture;

·       promote greater understanding and respect for people of different cultural backgrounds, ethnicity, religion or language;

·       promote equal opportunity;

·       help resolve conflicts; or -

·       raise the profile of ethnic communities and acknowledge their contribution to the State.

Mr Omodei said projects funded in the past had ranged from multicultural concerts and festivals to seminars and information days on vital issues and services.

Examples included a seminar to increase understanding of the needs of cancer patients from non-English speaking backgrounds, training for volunteers from non-English speaking backgrounds, an information day on local community services and how they could be accessed, a seminar on the processes involved in settling in another country, cross-cultural training for service providers and a program to help elderly migrants understand the customs of their new country.

Mr Omodei said only non-profit, community-based organisations were eligible for funding. Those interested in applying for funds should contact the Office of Multicultural Interests on 222 0246.  Applications close on April 13.

Media contact:  Amanda O'Brien on (09) 222 9595