Multicultural community festivals, services and facilities have received a boost in the 2022/23 state budget.
Announced on Tuesday, May 3, the budget would deliver more than $26 million for young people and culturally and linguistically diverse people, including those in Hume and Whittlesea.
Under the budget, multicultural community organisations would receive $6.4 million to build and upgrade community facilities across Victoria.
Multicultural Affairs and Youth Minister Ros Spence said the funding would enable people to reconnect while recovering from the Covid pandemic.
“The past two years have shown us just how important the communities around us can be to our health and wellbeing,” she said.
“Now more than ever, we need to be investing in people.”
“We’re supporting organisations and events that keep a diverse range of Victorians connected, because we know it’s good for communities, and we know it’s good for jobs.”
The budget has allocated $1.1 million towards multicultural festivals and events to help communities celebrate and preserve traditions, while also boosting events and hospitality industries as they recover from the Covid pandemic.
Under the budget, the government would commit $4.4 million to deliver the Victorian African Communities Action Plan, including support for homework clubs, school community liaison officers and other key initiatives.
The government has allocated about $1.3 million towards the Empower Youth program, which will connect young people in areas of high socioeconomic disadvantage with work or education and nurturing their health and wellbeing.
More than 2000 young people would share in the $1.3 million of support to find work in the sport and recreation sector through accreditation subsidising.
The government has allocated $500,000 towards Scouts Victoria and Girl Guides Victoria to encourage more young people to join the community groups.
As part of the Labor government’s support for Aboriginal self-determination, the government has allocated $600,000 of funding to establish the Koorie Youth Council as a primary partner in delivering support for young Aboriginal people.
