RFAs: Strengthening Communities Multicultural Grants Program (Australia)

Deadline: 04-Oct-2026

The Strengthening Communities Multicultural Grants (SCMG) Program provides one-off grants of up to $100,000 per project to support innovative initiatives that engage culturally and linguistically diverse communities across Queensland. The programme promotes inclusion, resilience, social cohesion, participation, and community capacity among migrant, refugee, asylum-seeker, and Australian South Sea Islander communities. Funding is available under two categories: Empowering Multicultural Community Projects and Youth and Community Connection Projects. Projects can run for up to two years from 1 July 2027 and may support activities such as skills development, mentoring, leadership programmes, social inclusion, equipment, venue hire, participant transport, and other eligible project costs.

About the Strengthening Communities Multicultural Grants Program

The Strengthening Communities Multicultural Grants (SCMG) programme is administered by Multicultural Affairs Queensland. The programme supports projects that strengthen relationships between culturally and linguistically diverse communities and the wider Queensland community. It is designed to help address barriers to participation while building the capacity, resilience, inclusion, and social cohesion of diverse communities. Why the SCMG Program Matters Queensland’s culturally and linguistically diverse communities include people with different cultural, religious, linguistic, and migration backgrounds. The SCMG programme helps organisations develop projects that create meaningful opportunities for these communities to participate, contribute, build skills, and strengthen connections.

The programme particularly supports:

- People from migrant backgrounds - People from refugee backgrounds - People seeking asylum - Australian South Sea Islander peoples - Young people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds Projects should demonstrate how they will address participation barriers and create positive community outcomes. How Much Funding Is Available?

Eligible organisations can receive:

Up to $100,000 per project The funding is provided as a one-off grant. Projects must be delivered over a period of up to two years, beginning from 1 July 2027. Funding Categories The SCMG programme provides funding through two categories. Empowering Multicultural Community Projects This category supports innovative and strategic projects that help build more inclusive, resilient, and connected multicultural communities.

Projects may focus on:

- Skills development - Mentoring - Leadership development - Community capacity building - Social inclusion - Participation - Community resilience - Initiatives that address barriers faced by culturally diverse communities Applicants should demonstrate how the proposed project will create meaningful and sustainable community benefits. Youth and Community Connection Projects This category focuses on young people aged 12 to 25. Projects should help break down barriers that prevent young people from participating fully in community life.

Potential activities include:

- Youth mentoring - Leadership programmes - Skills development - Social inclusion initiatives - Community connection activities - Projects that increase participation among culturally diverse young people The project should clearly demonstrate how it will improve engagement, inclusion, or community connections for young people. Who Is Eligible? Eligible applicants must meet the programme’s organisational and geographic requirements.

Applicants may include:

- Not-for-profit organisations legally registered in Australia - Charitable organisations legally registered in Australia - Local government bodies - State school Parents and Citizens (P&C) associations - Charitable institutions established through legislation - Queensland universities

Eligible organisations must:

- Be based in Queensland - Have an active Australian Business Number (ABN) - Meet the relevant organisational eligibility requirements - Deliver a project that engages culturally and linguistically diverse communities Who Should the Projects Benefit? Projects must engage people from diverse cultural, religious, and linguistic backgrounds. The programme specifically targets communities including: - Migrant communities - Refugee communities - People seeking asylum - Australian South Sea Islander communities Projects should not simply provide services to participants. They should create meaningful opportunities for participants to engage, contribute, connect, develop skills, or participate in community life. What Types of Projects Are Supported? The SCMG programme supports innovative projects that strengthen inclusion, resilience, participation, and community connections.

Examples of relevant activities include:

- Skills development programmes - Mentoring initiatives - Leadership programmes - Youth engagement activities - Social inclusion projects - Community capacity-building initiatives - Activities that reduce participation barriers - Projects that strengthen relationships between diverse communities and the wider community The proposed project should have a clear community purpose and align with one of the two funding categories. What Expenses Can the Grant Cover?

Eligible project costs may include:

- Non-recurrent salaries - Equipment hire or purchase - Venue hire - Advertising - Food and catering - Transport assistance for participants - Limited capital equipment costs Applicants should ensure that proposed expenses are directly connected to the project and meet the programme’s eligibility requirements. Project Duration and Start Date Funded projects are expected to commence from: 1 July 2027 Projects can operate for a maximum of: Two years Applicants should therefore develop realistic activities, milestones, budgets, and outcomes that can be achieved within the approved project period. What Activities Are Not Eligible? The SCMG programme does not support several types