More than 60 community organizations across British Columbia are receiving provincial funding to support projects aimed at countering racism and promoting multiculturalism.

“The dedicated work by local non-profit organizations to take on anti-racism helps people in neighbourhoods throughout British Columbia feel welcome, safer and connected to their communities,” said Niki Sharma, Attorney General.

“By supporting these organizations, the grants further enable the creation of social, cultural and economic opportunities for vulnerable and racialized individuals.”

The province says 62 community-based groups will share $300,000 through the annual B.C. Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Grants program.

Each organization can receive up to $5,000 to support initiatives that encourage inclusion and intercultural understanding.

Funded projects include cultural festivals, anti-hate helplines, educational workshops, arts-based programming and Indigenous knowledge revitalization.

Examples of funded projects this year include a collaboration between Punjabi and Indigenous artists at a Surrey cultural event, provincewide gatherings supporting awareness for missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQIA+ people, and an Islamophobia legal assistance hotline offering free advice and outreach.

The province says the grants are part of broader anti-racism efforts, including the Racist Incident Helpline, the Resilience BC Anti-Racism Network and the Anti-Racism Act.

Since 2015, the annual grant program has provided more than $3 million to support more than 700 anti-racism and multiculturalism projects throughout British Columbia.

To learn more, visit Government of British Columbia.