Celebrating Multicultural Queensland program

Purpose

The purpose of the CMQ program is to support events and festivals that increase intercultural connections and support social inclusion for culturally and linguistically diverse communities by bringing Queensland communities together.

Program outcomes

Funded events and festivals must achieve one or more of the following outcomes:

• improved appreciation of cultural diversity throughout Queensland;
• increased understanding of new and emerging culturally and linguistically diverse groups in local communities;
• increased sense of belonging for people from a culturally and linguistically diverse background;
• improved feelings of social inclusion for people from a culturally and linguistically diverse background; or
• increased intercultural connections between people from various backgrounds.

Applicants should clearly identify the outcomes their activity will achieve and how these outcomes will be measured. Outcomes are the changes, benefits or impacts that occur as a result of the funded activity, such as increased community participation, stronger intercultural connections, improved social inclusion, or a greater sense of belonging.

The application form includes guidance to help applicants identify appropriate outcomes and evaluation methods. This information assists the department to understand the impact of funded activities and inform future funding decisions.

What events can be funded?

• A cultural event that celebrates the traditions of people from a particular cultural group or community, together with the wider community, usually held on a date of cultural significance or as a celebration of cultural heritage.
• An intercultural sporting event that brings together multicultural communities and the wider community to celebrate diversity, foster mutual respect and understanding, and build stronger connections.
• A  festival that showcases the cultures and traditions of multiple cultural groups to enhance appreciation and recognition of the diverse cultures in Queensland and increases intercultural connections and social inclusion.

2027 Multicultural events

The 2026–27 CMQ program has two funding rounds available for multicultural events.

Round 1 is now open for applications for events to be delivered from 1 January to 30 June 2027 and will close at 11.59pm on Sunday 12 July 2026.

Eligible applicants can apply for one-off funding of up to $20,000 for eligible events.

All applicants will be advised of the outcome of their application by email. Funding decisions will be communicated once all applications have been assessed and a final determination has been made.

Find out more about the Round 1 grant recipients (PDF, 196 KB).

Find out more about the Round 2 grant recipients (PDF, 215 KB).

All successful events are included in the Events calendar. See the calendar for information on upcoming events, festivals and celebrations.

Applicant eligibility

Applicants will be eligible to apply if they are a not-for-profit and/or charitable organisation and one of the following entity types:

• Incorporated association
• Company limited by guarantee;
• Company limited by shares registered as a charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC).
• Cooperative
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation;
• Local Government Authority (Council).
• State School P&C Association.
• Organisation established through an Act of Parliament;
• Queensland University.
• Unincorporated association with an auspicing arrangement; or
• Social enterprise listed in the Social Enterprise Finder or the Queensland Social Enterprise Council directory.

And must:

• have an active Australian Business Number (ABN) in the same name used in the application;
• have an Australian bank account name in the name of the legal entity;
• be located in and/or actively provide services within the state of Queensland;
  • Applicants with an ABN registered outside of Queensland will be required to provide details and evidence of actively providing  services in Queensland.
• have no overdue reports, outstanding financial matters, or unresolved performance issues with Multicultural Affairs Queensland (MAQ).

If you are not incorporated or do not have an active ABN, you may apply through an eligible auspice organisation. If successful, the auspicing organisation will enter into a funding agreement, receive and manage the grant funds and accept the financial and legal responsibility for the funded activities.

Organisations that are not eligible for funding under the program cannot apply through an auspicing arrangement.

How to apply

1. Ensure you:

• Read the 2026-27 Funding Guidelines for Multicultural Events delivered between 1 January to 30 June 2027 (PDF, 745 KB), 
  • Please ensure you thoroughly review the guidelines for applicant eligibility, funding information and requirements.
• Read the contract terms and conditions (PDF)
• Preview the application form in SmartyGrants on the opening date
• Preview the sample Events acquittal report

2. Apply online through SmartyGrants.

• 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.

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.

Need assistance?

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

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

If you 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 (PDF), 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 event 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 event;
• acknowledge the Queensland Government funding with the use of the Queensland Government crest on all promotional material associated with the funded event;
• submit any online forms, such as Event Details Confirmation forms and Acquittal Reports by the due dates;
• submit an online Variation Request Form to request approval for any changes to the event (e.g. change in event title, dates, locations, proposed attendance, funded activities or scope); and
• immediately inform MAQ of the cancellation of the funded event via email to funding@maq.qld.gov.au.

Events calendar

• Funded events are automatically included in the Events calendar.
• You can also use our event registration form to seek approval to promote other eligible events on the calendar.

Planning an event

There are a number of resources available to assist event organisers to successfully plan and manage an event including the Events in Queensland, Best Practice Guidelines for event delivery in Queensland.

Multicultural projects

Funding for multicultural projects is available under the Strengthening Communities Multicultural Grants (SCMG).