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Senator for the ACT and Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Senator Kate Lundy,  was today (31/05/13) pleased to launch a new grants program worth $4.55 million nationally which will provide funding for community organisations to purchase new equipment, undertake refurbishments and build new infrastructure.

Senator Lundy was pleased to be able to make the announcement whilst visiting the Canberra Islamic Centre (CIC) in Monash—a vibrant community centre for Muslims to practice Islam and for Canberrans to learn more about the Islamic faith.

“Community organisations across the ACT and nationally, such as the CIC are being encouraged to apply for grants under the Gillard Government’s $4.55 million Building Multicultural Communities Program.

“Australia is a vibrant multicultural nation and the Gillard Government is committed to supporting our diverse multicultural communities,” Senator Lundy said.

This initiative follows the Gillard Government’s commitment to improve infrastructure that will build social inclusion and provide opportunities to bring together individuals and families in the community.

“This program will provide funding to eligible community organisations that support our multicultural communities and provide services at the grass roots,” Senator Lundy said.

The Building Multicultural Communities Program includes two funding streams:

Stream 1: Grants between $1,000 and $10,000 to support non-fixed infrastructure and equipment projects including:

• computers
• printers
• photocopiers
• furniture
• kitchen and sporting equipment.

Stream 2: Grants up to $150,000 to support capital works and non-fixed infrastructure including:

• multicultural hubs
• purpose built buildings (e.g. community radio stations, performance studios)
• meeting rooms that form part of a public building (e.g. community/multicultural)

Applications for the funding open at 9am AEST on May 31 and close at 5pm AEST on June 28.

Further information on the program is available on the department’s website at: www.immi.gov.au/bmcp.