Applications are now open for the new Indian Community Infrastructure Fund as part of the Victorian Government promise to support Victoria’s Indian diaspora to enhance and upgrade their places of worship (temples, gurdwaras, mosques) community facilities.
In October 2018, Premier Daniel Andrews announced more than $3 million in funding under a new 2019-20 Indian Community Infrastructure Fund.
Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Richard Wynne said, “Victoria is one of the most successful multicultural societies in the world, and we pride ourselves on building a state where everyone belongs, feels accepted and can freely participate.”
“The new Indian Community Infrastructure Fund aim is to support Victoria’s vibrant Indian diaspora to come together, to preserve, celebrate, and share their culture and traditions with the wider Victoria – encouraging greater intercultural connectivity for all Victorians.”
Under the Fund community groups can apply for one grant under the following categories:
- Small grant between $10,000 to $100,000
- Large grant between $100,001 to $500,000.
Projects that will be considered for funding under the small grant category include:
- Painting, tiling or completing structural repairs such as roofing, plumbing or flooring works
- Kitchens or bathroom upgrades
- Renovations or internal remodelling of facilities to improve accessibility or create new rooms
- Non-electronic security upgrades
- Constructing outdoor areas such as children’s playground, gardens, pergolas
- Installing heating and cooling systems
- Installation sustainable solutions such as solar panels or water tanks.
Construction of new temples, places of worship or community centres will be considered for funding under the large grant category.
For those wanting to know more, they need to contact multicultural.infrastructure@dpc.gov.au and to apply for the Multicultural Community Infrastructure Fund go to: www.vic.gov.au/indian-community-infrastructure-fund.
Applications close 20 February 2020.
The 169,000 Indian-born people living in Victoria according to the 2016 Census are the largest Indian diaspora in Australia.
Read also: 2020: Will PM Morrison’s visit bring clearer vision for India-Australia?
