Afghan-Australian community get support through $7 million grant

Following the announcement by The Hon Alex Hawke MP, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs of the new funding of $27.1 million for a tailored settlement support package for recent arrivals from Afghanistan, Migration Council Australia is pleased to announce the commencement of the Afghan-Australian Community & Settlement Support (AACASS) Program.

The AACASS Program will provide $7 million in direct funding over two years to community organisations supporting the Afghan-Australian community to successfully settle into their new lives in Australia.

The funding will resource and build the capacity of the community and grassroot organisations undertaking critical settlement and integration work with recent refugees from Afghanistan and Afghan-Australian communities that support them. The program is intended to support the organisations working alongside the services provided under the Humanitarian Settlement Program.

On the opening of the grant program, Minister Hawke said:

“I thank Migration Council Australia for the important work they are doing to build community capacity and administer the government-funded Afghan-Australian Community & Settlement Support (AACASS) Program. The grants provided by the program will support the Afghan-Australian community and grassroot organisations in their vital work supporting newly arrived Afghan evacuees”.

“We commend the Government for establishing this critical grant program that will create
positive settlement outcomes for the recent Afghan refugees and their communities,” said MCA CEO, Carla Wilshire OAM.

Ms Wilshire highlighted that the priority would be given to grassroot community organisations maintaining close ties with the Afghan-Australian community.

“A key feature of the program is the capacity building component targeting successful program applicants that will enable the Afghan-Australian organisations to reach their potential and create lasting impact in the community,” Ms Wilshire said.

The grant program will operate until June 2023, and applications will be accepted over two rounds. The first round is now open and will close on Thursday 23 December 2021.

For more information, visit www.aacassgrants.org.au

MCA is the national peak body established to enhance the benefits of Australia’s migration program, support better settlement outcomes for Australia’s migrants and refugees, and promote social cohesion.

Short URL: https://indiandownunder.com.au/?p=17179