The Victorian Government has announced a new grant program to support Chinese community organisations in building and upgrading their facilities. The initiative called the Chinese Community Infrastructure Fund, aims to provide culturally appropriate spaces for Chinese Victorians to connect, maintain a sense of belonging, and celebrate their heritage.
Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ingrid Stitt made the announcement at the 2024 Moon Festival Opening Ceremony hosted by the Asian Business Association of Whitehorse. The fund will offer grants of up to $400,000 to support the upgrade, renovation, extension, or construction of community buildings. Priority will be given to applications from regional and rural Chinese communities.
“I’m proud to launch the Chinese Community Infrastructure Fund as it not only supports our Chinese communities to upgrade and renovate facilities but provides important spaces for community connections and social unity,” said Minister Stitt during the event.
The Chinese Community Infrastructure Fund is part of the broader Multicultural Community Infrastructure Fund, which represents a $40 million investment by the Labor Government to enhance community infrastructure for multicultural and multifaith communities across Victoria. Recent beneficiaries of the broader fund include the Avalokitesvara Yuan Tong Monastery, Golden Dragon Museum, and the Chinese Association of Victoria Incorporated, which received support for various community projects.
“Victoria’s strength is our diversity and we’re making sure our multicultural communities have the safe, accessible and culturally appropriate spaces they need to come together, celebrate and preserve culture and traditions,” added Minister Stitt.
Since 2014, the Victorian Government has invested more than $88 million in over 560 multicultural community infrastructure projects, benefiting thousands of Victorians from diverse backgrounds. The new fund reinforces the government’s ongoing commitment to fostering vibrant multicultural communities in the state.
Applications for the Chinese Community Infrastructure Fund are now open and will close on Monday, 2 December 2024. More information about the application process can be found at vic.gov.au/chinese-community-infrastructure-fund.
The initiative highlights the government’s dedication to supporting the cultural needs of Chinese Victorians, ensuring that community groups have the facilities they need to thrive and maintain their cultural heritage.
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