Source: Government of Canada regional news (2)
Alberta’s government is committed to fostering a province where people from all backgrounds are valued and respected. One way of doing this is through the Ethnocultural Grant Program that supports vibrant and welcoming multicultural communities. Budget 2025 provides $12 million over three years to continue promoting cross-cultural knowledge and understanding, while celebrating and supporting cultural diversity and Indigenous cultures.
“Alberta is filled with vibrant, multicultural communities, and these grants support community-led initiatives that provide many ethnocultural groups with the opportunity to share their unique heritage with Albertans. This is multiculturalism in action.”
In the most recent intake for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, Alberta’s Ethnocultural Grant Program provided almost $5 million in grant funding to 140 community groups to support initiatives that fostered intercultural awareness and understanding.
“Our multicultural event was more than just a celebration of diversity, it was a bridge that connected people across cultures, fostering unity, understanding and a shared sense of community. The grant we received played a pivotal role in making this vision a reality. It allowed us to create an inclusive space where different cultures could be authentically represented and celebrated, ensuring that the event reached a broad audience and left a lasting impact. Without this support, the event’s scale, accessibility and cultural richness would not have been possible.”
The Ethnocultural Grant Program funding supports many important community organizations and initiatives that showcase and celebrate Alberta’s diverse multicultural communities. This program helps organizations develop and implement projects to promote cross-cultural community engagement, and funds initiatives that address cultural preservation, social integration and community development. These initiatives can include cultural events, educational programs and community outreach activities that help bridge cultural gaps and foster a stronger, more inclusive society.
“The funding from the government was absolutely crucial for the success of our project. Without this financial support, we would not have been able to scale our efforts or ensure the quality and accessibility of the digitized materials. We successfully digitized a significant portion of our cultural heritage materials, making them accessible to a broader audience. The project has not only preserved our heritage but also sparked renewed interest and engagement in our community’s cultural narrative, as seen during the Calgary Caribbean Festival, where our flag recognition soared following Julien Alfred’s gold medal win.”
Budget 2025 is meeting the challenge faced by Alberta with continued investments in education and health, lower taxes for families, and a focus on the economy.
Quick Facts
- Alberta’s Ethnocultural Grant Program has two streams to support community-led initiatives to foster welcoming multicultural communities across Alberta.
- Stream 1 provides up to $50,000 for projects that create opportunities for intercultural connections with ethnocultural and Indigenous groups.
- Stream 2 provides up to $15,000 to projects that create opportunities to celebrate diversity.
- The next intake for grant applications is anticipated to open in fall 2025.
Related information
- Ethnocultural grant