Victoria is handing out $1.15 million in taxpayer money to indigenous and immigrant groups to deliver “community-led responses to racism”.
The Local Anti-Racism Initiatives grant program was announced late last month, and will provide grants of up to $40,000 to non-profit “First Peoples-led (sic) or community-controlled organisations” and “multicultural and multifaith community organisations”.
The Labor state government under new Premier Ben Carroll said the program aimed to increase broader community understanding and awareness of racism, and promote awareness and understanding of aboriginal history and culture and the “historic and ongoing impacts of colonisation”.
Additional objectives are to improve community reporting of racist incidents, and support local communities and community organisations to “build their capacity to respond to racism and support affected individuals”.
Ingrid Stitt, Minister for Multicultural and Multifaith Victoria, said while launching the program that it would “help people respond safely and confidently when racism occurs”.
“The program recognises that different communities experience racism in different ways, and that effective responses must be shaped by lived experience, cultural knowledge and trusted local relationships,” she said.
“It also recognises that racism can be experienced in different and overlapping ways, and encourages initiatives that respond to the needs of communities who may face additional barriers to safety and inclusion.
“It is important to remember that we all have a role to play in addressing the structures and behaviours that allow racism to continue.”
Applications close on August 27, and successful recipients must deliver their initiatives by the end of 2027.
Header image: Premier Ben Carroll visits a mosque in Melbourne after it underwent a government-supported refurbishment (Facebook).
