March 10th, 2025State announces funding for multicultural events calendar
The state’s Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ingrid Stitt has announced that more than 90 community organisations will share in $750,000 to bring their festivals and events to life from April to June this year.
This was thanks to the latest rounds of the Multicultural Festivals and Events Program and Regional Multicultural Festivals and Events Program, the minister 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 Victoria’s 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.
Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ingrid Stitt: “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.”
This story based on a state government media release
