Multi-Ethnic Grant Demand Rises Sharply in Fiji

Fiji's Multi-Ethnic Grant has seen a significant surge in demand, with applications increasing fourfold in just one year. Assistant Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs Shalen Kumar highlighted this growing need for funding to enhance community facilities across the nation.

Initially, around 300 organizations applied for the grant, with most receiving funding. However, the number of applications jumped to approximately 1,200 in the second year, far exceeding the allocated budget. This surge made it impossible to fund every applicant.

To address the high demand and ensure more communities could benefit, the government decided to reduce the size of individual grants. Kumar stated that the budget remained the same, necessitating a smaller grant amount per applicant. He confirmed that grants were distributed to communities that applied, and they have utilized the funds effectively.

The ministry actively monitors projects to ensure the grant money is used for its intended purposes. Recent inspections, such as at the Navovo Temple where a $7,000 grant funded a retaining wall and improved fencing, demonstrate the effective use of these funds. Kumar believes the growing interest reflects the grant's value in supporting vulnerable and multi-ethnic communities.

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And it was difficult to give the grant to everyone because it was outside our budget. In the last year, the budget was the same. So we have reduced the grant a little, and the grant has been given to the communities who applied for it. And they have used the grant well in their applications.