The Allan Labor Government will continue its strong investment in multicultural festivals and events with the opening of a new round of grants as part of the Multicultural Festivals and Events Program.

Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ingrid Stitt today announced more than $2.4 million is available to support events across Victoria that encourage the community to take part in celebrations that promote our multicultural society and build social cohesion.

Applicants can apply for up to $50,000 in funding for events delivered between 1 July and 31 December 2024.

Since 2014, the Labor Government has delivered more than $36 million to deliver close to 10,000 multicultural festivals and events in every corner of the state through both the Multicultural Festivals and Events Fund, and the Regional Multicultural Festivals and Events Fund.

The Shepparton Arts Festival previously received funding to host Converge on the Goulburn, an annual celebration of Shepparton’s First Nations and multicultural communities with music and dance, authentic cultural and culinary events and kids activities.

Viva a Vida Foundation also received funding in a previous round to support their Circles of Brazil event. Viva a Vida are a Melbourne-based not for profit foundation who provide legal and psychological support for family violence survivors, international students, seniors and members of the Brazilian community.

The Melbourne Vinayagar Hindu Sangam was allocated funding in 2024 to host Mahotsavam, an important Hindu festival.

The Labor Government supported 116 organisations with a total of $960,000 funding through the most recent rounds of the Multicultural Festivals and Events, and Regional Festivals and Events funding.

Applications for events opened on 13 March and close on 19 April 2024, with submissions from new and emerging communities, those with high numbers of refugees and those in humanitarian need prioritised.

For more information visit vic.gov.au/multicultural-festivals-and-events-program.