Local initiatives supporting cultural diversity, social connection and food security have received a major funding boost, with the City of Newcastle awarding $220,000 in Social Inclusion grants to community-driven projects that help some of the city’s most vulnerable residents.
The funding forms part of City of Newcastle’s annual grants and sponsorships program, which this year is investing almost $900,000 across 87 projects in ten different categories.
The Social Inclusion stream alone will see 22 local programs receive between $2,500 and $20,000 each to support initiatives that strengthen inclusion and improve wellbeing across the community.
One of the key recipients, Shared World Collective, will launch its Gather, Make & Market project, a creative workshop program empowering culturally and linguistically diverse women through artisan skills, small business training and sustainable craft practices.
Delivered in partnership with Mosaic Cultural Connections, the program will provide participants from African, Afghan and Arabic refugee backgrounds with opportunities to develop, market and sell their handmade creations at local outlets like The Full Circle Collective.
Other funded projects will also work to bring Newcastle’s multicultural communities together, including the CALD Connect Foundation’s Newcastle Multicultural Soccer Tournament, set to run over four weekends in 2026.
The tournament aims to use sport as a platform to foster inclusion, celebrate diversity and strengthen relationships across cultures.
Food insecurity remains a major focus, with the Salvation Army and Samaritan Foundation among the organisations delivering meal services and community events such as the annual Christmas Lunch in the Park.
Meanwhile, initiatives like Connection Club’s Fast Friends events will help people living with disability form meaningful social connections and reduce isolation.
The City of Newcastle’s Social Inclusion grants are guided by the goals of the Social Strategy 2030, placing people at the centre of community growth. For more information about the program and the full list of recipients, visit newcastle.nsw.gov.au/grants.
