Supporting diversity with $20K grants for multicultural businesses

By Contributed

May 22, 2024

State Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes has announced grants of up to $20,000 are available to local multicultural businesses. Photo by Julie Mercer

The Victorian Government is giving multicultural businesses and traders more support, with a targeted grant program backing the positive impact multicultural enterprises have on local economies.

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State Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes recently announced that applications are open for the Multicultural Business Chambers and Trader Groups program, providing grants of up to $20,000.

Northern Victorian business groups can use the funds to support the local multicultural businesses and projects that drive collaboration, skill building, and celebrate diversity.

The grant program will support locally led projects that aim to support upskilling business owners in digital and in-language marketing, local business expo events and providing opportunities for meaningful networking.

The program is part of the government's $17 million investment to support multicultural businesses with the skills and services they need to grow and succeed.

Ms Symes said Victoria is proudly home to more than 701,000 small businesses and 34 per cent of Australian small business owners are migrants — with even more small business owners having one or more parents born overseas.

“This program is supporting our multicultural small businesses to run locally led projects within the community that will help businesses flourish throughout the region,” Ms Symes said.

“Multicultural businesses play an important role in Victoria — they broaden our global connections, create local employment opportunities, and they strengthen the cultural diversity of Victoria.”

Applications for the program are now open and will close on July 17.

For more information about the program and how to apply, please visit business.vic.gov.au/