Strengthening Multicultural Queensland program

Multicultural project funding, previously available under the Celebrating Multicultural Queensland program, is now available under the new Strengthening Multicultural Queensland (SMQ) program.

Multicultural Affairs Queensland (MAQ) administers the SMQ program as an annual, open competitive grants program to provide funding towards multicultural projects that engage culturally and linguistically diverse communities, groups and individuals, and the broader community, to partner and contribute to building an inclusive, harmonious and united Queensland.

MAQ acknowledges the cultural diversity of First Nations peoples. However, for the purposes of the SMQ program, the term ‘culturally and linguistically diverse’ refers to people from migrant and refugee backgrounds, people seeking asylum, and Australian South Sea Islander peoples.

Outcomes-based model

The SMQ program uses an outcomes-based mode, that focuses on achieving specific, measurable outcomes and long-term impacts.

Outcomes are the specific changes that result from your activity. Think of it as outcomes = results/changes. For example, improved intercultural connections, new skills or more confidence are all outcomes.

For applicants, focusing on measurable outcomes and supporting these with evidence-based evaluation can help to demonstrate and communicate how you are achieving your intended results.

This approach will allow us to better understand the impact of our grants, and to make informed decisions about how to allocate resources in the future.

The application form will provide guidance on how to identify and measure outcomes for your project.

Program objective

The objectives of the SMQ program, in alignment with the Multicultural Queensland Charter, is to provide funding towards projects that:

• support the economic and social aspirations of people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds;
• enhance community capacity to address emerging issues and improve access to services;
• increase cultural capability of services to support people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; and/or
• enhance the capacity of general community groups in connecting people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds into a wide range of community activities.

Multicultural projects

There are two categories for project funding under each funding round:

• Category 1 – Empowering Multicultural Community (EMC) Projects

­ For innovative and strategic projects that address barriers and create opportunities for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds leading to more inclusive, resilient, and cohesive communities– one-off funding up to $100,000.

• Category 2 – Youth and Community Connection (Y&CC) Projects

­ For innovative projects that assist to break down the barriers facing young people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds that can result in feelings of disengagement or disconnection with community. These projects will enable young people to feel heard, valued, supported and empowered, resulting in their increased access to, and inclusion within the community – one-off funding up to $100,000.

Examples of the types of projects the program supports are:

• Community based activities (such as workshops, training, skills development, knowledge and awareness raising, fostering social connections) to address an identified issue, which are conducted over a period of time with key deliverables/milestones and specified anticipated outcomes.
• Targeted activities that provide benefits for groups of individuals, such as increased community participation, economic independence, inclusion or access to opportunities within the local community.

Funding rounds – Opens 1 October and closes 12 November each year for projects to be delivered in the following financial year, for example:

• Funding round opening on 1 October 2025 is for projects to be delivered from 1 July 2026.
• Funding round opening on 1 October 2026 is for projects to be delivered from 1 July 2027.

Funding outcomes for multicultural projects are expected to be announced by 31 March each year. All applicants will be notified by email of their funding application outcome.

Refer to Previous successful applications at the bottom of this page for information about previous successful applicants.

2024–25 Multicultural projects

The 2024-25 funding round for multicultural projects is now closed.

Eligible applicants can apply for one-off funding of up to $100,000 for projects to be delivered from 1 July 2025 across a two-year period to 30 June 2027.

The previous Economic and Social Participation category has been expanded to the Empowering Multicultural Community category, with one-off funding of up to $100,000 available for projects covering a range of outcomes.

Multicultural events

Funding for multicultural events is available under the Celebrating Multicultural Queensland program. Please visit the webpage for more information.

Applicant eligibility

You are eligible to apply if you are a:

• Not-for-profit/charitable organisation legally registered in Australia.
• Local Government body.
• State School P&C Association.
• Charitable institution established through specific legislation.
• Queensland University.

And must:

• have a registered and active Australian Business Number (ABN);
• be an organisation based in Queensland; and
• have no overdue reports, service delivery or performance issues for funding provided by MAQ.

If you are not incorporated or do not have an active ABN:
You can ask an eligible organisation to auspice your application. If successful in receiving funding, the auspicing organisation will enter into a funding agreement, receive the funds and carries the financial risk and legal responsibility for activities of the auspiced organisation.

How to apply

1. Ensure you:

• read the Project funding guidelines ((PDF, 616 KB)) Project funding guidelines ((DOCX, 844 KB))
• read the contract terms and conditions (PDF)
• preview the relevant application form in SmartyGrants on the opening date
• preview the relevant sample reporting template
  • Project progress report ((PDF, 150 KB)) Project progress report ((DOCX, 73 KB))
  • Project acquittal report ((PDF, 190 KB)) Project acquittal report ((DOCX, 74 KB))
• An Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) form is required as part of the application to ensure funding is provided to successful applicants as quickly as possible after the funding announcement. The EFT form can be accessed through the application form.

2. Apply online through SmartyGrants.

To ensure everyone has the opportunity to submit an application, we are accepting applications in your preferred language. If you are planning to submit your application responses in a language other than English, please email us at funding@maq.qld.gov.au for further information before 4 November 2024.

SmartyGrants will automatically close at 11.59pm on the closing date and will not allow applications past this time. Please ensure you allow adequate time to submit your application. Applications and supporting documentation will not be accepted after this time to ensure fairness to all applicants.

Help with applying

If after reading the guidelines you still have questions or you require further information about the program, you can contact us by email at funding@maq.qld.gov.au.

For more information about applying online, you can read the SmartyGrants – Help Guide for Applicants.

If you are need assistance with your SmartyGrants account, you can contact SmartyGrants Technical Support on (03) 9320 6888 or service@smartygrants.com.au. Support desk hours are 9am to 5pm AEST, Monday to Friday.

For further assistance, you can visit the Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland (ECCQ) website for information on upcoming education workshops and to access their Online Learning Hub for easily accessible courses and resources.

Successful applicants

All applicants successful in receiving funding will be required to:

• enter into a funding agreement which comprises of the approval letter, funding guidelines, the submitted application, and the Terms and Conditions, as amended from time to time. “Particulars” in the Terms and Conditions means the submitted application
• comply with any relevant laws and regulations, such as the requirements for working with children, in the delivery of the project, and any other relevant insurance as may be required
• hold public liability insurance to the value of not less than $10 million that covers the project
• acknowledge the Queensland Government funding with the use of the Queensland Government crest on all promotional material associated with the funded project
• submit any online forms, such as Progress Reports (if required) and Acquittal Reports by the due dates
• submit an online Variation Request Form to request approval for any changes to the project (e.g. change in project title, dates, locations, proposed attendance, funded activities or scope)
• immediately inform MAQ of the cancellation of the funded project via email to funding@maq.qld.gov.au.

Community facilities and venues for hire

There are a number of venue options available in your local area to host project activities. A list of suggestions has been compiled to help locate venues for hire in your community.

Previous rounds

Previous successful applications

• 2023–24 successful applicants for multicultural projects ((PDF, 173 KB))
• 2022-23 successful applicants for multicultural projects ((PDF, 156 KB))
• 2021–22 successful applicants for multicultural projects ((PDF, 163 KB))

Previous funding guidelines

• >2023-24 project funding guidelines ((PDF, 1 MB))
• >2022-23 project funding guidelines ((PDF, 1.1 MB))
• >2021–22 project funding guidelines ((PDF, 430 KB))

If you would like to receive email communications about multicultural topics, including the opening of future funding rounds, complete the online registration form and select 'Government funding' under Areas of Interest.