Local Anti-Racism Initiatives Grants Program
The Local Anti-Racism Initiatives Grants Program 2021 provides funding to community organisations to deliver activities and initiatives that empower local communities to tackle racism.
Funding is offered in two streams and the activities must be delivered between 1 July 2021 and 30 June 2022.
The 2 funding streams are:
- Social cohesion and community harmony stream – grants range from $50,000–$149,999 for one year for local initiatives that promote and foster social cohesion, community harmony and anti-racism
- Anti-racism stream – grants range from $150,000–$500,000 for one year for local anti-racism initiatives.
Only one application is permitted per organisation. If more than one application is submitted, the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing will only consider the first submitted application that best fits the criteria, objectives and needs within the community.
Applications closed at 12noon, Friday 16 April 2021.
Successful applications
Guidelines
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The Local Anti-Racism Initiatives Grants Program 2021 provides funding to community organisations to deliver activities and initiatives that empower local communities to tackle racism.
This program aims to support all Victorians in preventing and responding to racism and discrimination, promote positive intercultural understanding and strengthen the evidence of the challenges faced by culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities.
It is a competitive grants program administered by the Multicultural Affairs portfolio in the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH).
What are the program objectives?
The objectives of the program are to:
- improve community reporting of racist incidents and increase awareness and understanding of people’s rights
- support local communities and community organisations to build their capacity to respond to racism and support affected individuals
- support the delivery of programs and initiatives involving the broader Victorian community to increase resilience and social cohesion
- increase availability of anti-racism materials, resources and supports within local community infrastructure
- enable Aboriginal self-determination by resourcing community-led anti-racism initiatives
- build the capacity of communities to engage in constructive intercultural and interfaith dialogue as a means of addressing local challenges to social cohesion.
The objectives above are only applicable to activities taking place between 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022.
What are the program priorities?
The priorities of the program include:
Funding priority Description of funding priority Empowering and collaborative delivery models Designing and delivering initiatives using models that build the capacity of the communities impacted, including through enabling the communities to be actively involved or lead the initiatives.
Partnerships and collaboration between partner organisations. Relationships identified in applications should include all partner organisations actively contributing to the outcomes of the project, such as in program development and delivery, financial or in-kind support, or evaluation.
Priority audiences and/or participants Addressing the following audiences and/or participants’ experiences of racism and discrimination including groups most impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic:
- priority community groups such as refugees and asylum seekers, Aboriginal Victorians, women, young people, LGBTIQ+ communities or socially
- isolated and disadvantaged communities
- regional and rural Victorians
- faith communities
- new and emerging communities, and temporary migrants
Supports for affected communities and individuals Strengthening the capacity of local communities to report incidents of racism, increasing accessibility of reporting mechanisms to relevant authorities, and building mental health and community supports for those affected. Education Supporting students and education settings in their responses to racism.
Intercultural and interfaith engagement Promoting intercultural and interfaith dialogue, understanding and respect. Online hate and promotion of civic digital literacy
Promoting civic digital engagement and building capacity to prevent and/or respond to racism, discrimination and hate-speech experienced online. What funding is available?
The program offers 2 funding streams to support organisations to tackle racism:
- Social cohesion and community harmony stream
- Grants from $50,000–$149,999 for one year for local initiatives that promote and foster social cohesion, community harmony and anti-racism.
- Anti-racism stream
- Grants from $150,000–$500,000 for one year for local anti-racism initiatives.
Download the Program for more information on funding.
What are the dates of the Local Anti-Racism Initiatives Grants Program 2021?
Date Activity 16 March 2021 Opening date for applications
16 April 2021 Closing date for applications (12pm AEDT)
1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022 Successful projects to be delivered between these dates
Please note these dates may be subject to change.
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To be eligible you must be either:
- a not-for-profit entity registered under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) or the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012 (Vic)
- an Aboriginal entity incorporated under Commonwealth or Victorian legislation (including Victorian Aboriginal businesses and not-for-profit organisations, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs), Traditional Owner groups and land trusts)
- a social enterprise with a clearly stated purpose or mission related specifically to supporting multiculturalism.
You must also have:
- a current Australian Business Number (ABN), and
- no overdue reports from previous Multicultural Affairs funded grant programs.
Organisations must return any overdue reports prior to applications closing to be eligible. Please email communityharmony@dffh.vic.gov.au if you are unsure if your organisation is up to date.
Applicants that are not incorporated or do not have an ABN number may apply with support from an eligible auspice organisation that has agreed to manage the grant for them.
How do I check my organisation’s status?
To check if you are:
- an incorporated association, visit Consumer Affairs
- a company limited by guarantee, visit the Australian Securities and Investments
- an Aboriginal entity incorporated under Commonwealth or Victorian legislation, visit the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations
To check your Australian Business Number (ABN), visit the Australian Business .
Our organisation or group is not eligible – are there any exceptions?
Applicants that are not incorporated or do not have an ABN may apply if supported by an eligible auspice organisation that has agreed to manage the grant for them.
Where do we find an auspice?
If you are unsure where to seek an auspice, you can consider approaching:
- community organisations that you have an existing partnership or good working relationship with
- more established community organisations within your community
- larger umbrella organisations that support and represent many groups in your community
- neighbourhood houses or community centres
- your local council.
Should we consider a partnership to strengthen our application?
Collaboration is a funding priority for the Local Anti-Racism Initiatives Grants Program 2021
Partnerships with an organisation outside your own community or group will demonstrate cross-cultural collaboration. Intercultural and interfaith collaborations are strongly encouraged.
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Only one application is permitted per organisation. If more than one application is submitted, the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing will only consider the first submitted application that best fits the criteria, objectives and needs within the community.
All applications will be assessed against the program eligibility and assessment criteria outlined in the program guidelines.
Following eligibility and merit assessment, applications will be reviewed by a panel including representatives from the Victorian Multicultural Commission and other relevant independent experts.
The assessment panel will recommend initiatives to fund. The final decision is made by the Minister for Multicultural Affairs.
Grant outcomes will likely be available in June 2021. When a decision is made, the Department will let you know the outcome. Successful applicants will be published on this webpage.
Please contact the Programs and Grants Team at communityharmony@dffh.vic.gov.au if you want feedback on your application.
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Applications are open from Tuesday 16 March 2021 until 12pm on Friday 16 April 2021.
The program offers 2 funding streams to support organisations to tackle racism:
- Social cohesion and community harmony stream
- Grants from $50,000–$149,999 for one year for local initiatives that promote and foster social cohesion, community harmony and anti-racism.
- Anti-racism stream
- Grants from $150,000–$500,000 for one year for local anti-racism initiatives.
Application forms will be available shortly.
Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
If you wish to discuss your application or be assisted with your submission, please contact the Program Team prior to the closing date by emailing communityharmony@dffh.vic.gov.au.
What if we have a technical problem when submitting our online application?
If the form isn’t loading or able to be submitted, we recommend trying a different internet browser.
If this does not work, please contact the Program Team at communityharmony@dffh.vic.gov.au who will assist where possible. Please allow at least 3 business days for support.
Please provide evidence, such as a screenshot, when there is a technical error.
What if we miss the deadline for submitting our application – can we get an extension?
No extensions for applications are allowed.
We have a partnership with an organisation – who is responsible for submitting the application?
One organisation will submit the application on behalf of all organisations or groups. This organisation is the primary contact for the grant application and is legally responsible for the grant – including providing final reports to the Department.
In your application and attached project plan you will need to list all organisations and community groups involved with delivery of the activities and outline their roles and responsibilities.
Can I speak to someone if I have a question about my funding application?
If you have a question about the application process or the project you are seeking funding for, you can email communityharmony@dffh.vic.gov.au with your query. Alternatively, you can call the Grants Helpline on 1300 112 755 where you will be directed to a grants officer who can assist you with your query.
- Social cohesion and community harmony stream
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When will we receive funding and be able to start our activities?
Before we can transfer funds, a Victorian Common Funding Agreement (VCFA) will be made between the successful organisation and the Victorian Government.
The VCFA will include the terms and conditions of the grant including the use of funds, term of the agreement and reporting requirements. Grant payments may be made in one or multiple instalments.
The VCFA must be signed and returned within 30 days of notification, or the offer of funding may be withdrawn.
If you would like further details regarding the funding agreement, email communityharmony@dffh.vic.gov.au.
When will grant activities need to be completed?
Successful grant recipients must deliver all grant activities between 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022 and the final report must be submitted by 30 August 2022.
To be eligible for funding in future, all final reporting must be up to date.
Who is the funding agreement between?
The Victorian Common Funding Agreement (VCFA) will be between the successful organisation or auspice organisation and the Victorian Government.
Do I need to acknowledge the Victorian Government for the funding?
The Victorian Government is to be acknowledged in speeches and presentations, and mentioned in any media releases, flyers, programs or other documents relating to your funded event.
Suggested acknowledgements include:
- Made possible by the Victorian Government through the Local Anti-Racism Initiatives Grants Program.
- With thanks to the Victorian Government and the Local Anti-Racism Initiatives Grants Program.
- Funding provided by the Victorian Government through the Local Anti-Racism Initiatives Grants Program.
What happens if a project is unable to be completed?
If, for any reason, your organisation is unable to complete your planned event, you must inform the contract contact immediately.
If the VCFA has not been signed, then the offer of funding will be withdrawn.
If the agreement has been signed and funds paid, the funds must be returned and the contract contact will assist you to cancel your VCFA so you can apply for other funding in future. Please email communityharmony@dffh.vic.gov.au for further information.
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Help your community stay informed about the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Find in-language advice and information, how to access an interpreter and self-assessment resources.
Reviewed 16 June 2021