• Round 2 grants (2004, sponsored by Brencorp Foundation)
• Round 1 grants (2003, co-sponsored by APMAB and the Australian Multicultural Foundation)

Background

The Australasian Police Multicultural Advisory Bureau was established under the auspices of the Conference of Commissioners of Police, Australasia and the South West Pacific Region.

The impetus for the establishment of the Bureau was the 1990 National Conference on Police Services in a Multicultural Australia. The Conference outcomes recognised the need for an agency which would enhance the professionalism of police service delivery in culturally diverse societies through strategies based on communication, co-operation and consultation.

The Australian Multicultural Foundation played a significant role in the establishment of the Bureau. The continuing involvement of the Foundation with the Bureau epitomises the concept of partnership policing which is the governing philosophy in modern day policing in Australasia.

Mission and Corporate Objectives

The mission of the Australasian Police Multicultural Advisory Bureau is to recommend to Police Commissioners, coordinated national policies, programs and initiatives for improving police/multicultural community relations in Australasia.

A unique feature of the Bureau is its ability to facilitate partnerships between police agencies and peak non-police organisations.

What is the Mosaic Fund?

The Mosaic Fund is an initiative which offers grants and strategic support for police working together with the community in response to contemporary issues of multicultural Australia.

The Mosaic Fund invites police around Australia to apply for project grants. Applicants must demonstrate a partnership with the community in the development and implementation of a project, event or activity. Newly settled and emerging communities, young people and prevention programs are a particular focus of the Mosaic Fund.

The Mosaic Fund is consistent with a fundamental shift in policing strategies which emphasise the importance of partnership building between police and culturally diverse communities. These partnerships harness and build on the benefits of cultural diversity and further strengthen community cohesion and a commitment to a multicultural Australia.

Through this initiative, the Mosaic Fund will add value to cultural diversity in community life and demonstrate positive responses to community policing.

What are the values, mission and strategic direction of the Mosaic Fund?

The vision of the Mosaic Fund is a just and inclusive Australian society where people from all cultures are recognised, respected and their contributions valued. To that end, the mission of the Fund is to foster, through financial assistance and strategic alliances, partnerships between communities and the police which embrace cultural diversity and encourage social harmony.

The strategic direction of the Mosaic Fund involves:

• building capacity for more positive and constructive police/community partnerships where cultural diversity is a relevant factor
• demonstrating good practice examples of partnerships which improve relationships between police and culturally diverse communities, and which can be replicated
• strengthening awareness of issues relating to cultural diversity across the general ranks of police, through core training and orientation, and acknowledgement of achievement
• adding value to existing community organisations, alliances and structures which have a vision and purpose in common with the Fund
• assisting communities to come forward with their issues and ideas for the development of projects
• providing a two-way flow of experience, information and direction for police and communities to identify emerging issues and address common questions and challenges relating to cultural diversity
• offering grantmakers, community agencies, all levels of government and corporations the opportunity to participate in these partnerships through matched granting and sponsorship.

Who is eligible for funding?

Applications for funding must be made by sworn police officers in the first instance with an identified community partner directly involved with issues relating to cultural and social harmony, and involving membership of people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Priority will be given to project proposals which build on existing networks and programs and which have a capacity to expand the partnership to include government, community, business or other relevant partners. The Mosaic Fund may set specific priority areas for each funding round.

What projects, events and/or activities are eligible?

Emphasis is on attracting proposals which demonstrate new and positive responses to situations where people are divided or marginalised as a result of cultural difference. Priority projects will be directly related to promoting cultural and social harmony and focus on contemporary issues such as, crime prevention, conflict resolution and restorative justice. Special attention will be given to projects involving recent arrivals and newly settled or emerging communities, young people and people living in isolated or remote areas.

Specific exclusions

The fund will not support the following:

• travel
• vehicle purchase
• buildings
• books and videos
• scholarships for personal study
• more than one request for funding in a 12 month period
• individuals
• multi-year projects
• salaries

Assessment Criteria

The following criteria apply to all grant applications:

• is the project/event or activity consistent with the Mosaic Fund mission statement and strategic direction?
• does the project/event or activity meet a community need and has there been community consultation?
• can the project/event or activity serve as a model or innovation for other communities to resolve similar issues?
• is the project/event or activity easily replicated?
• does the project/event or activity address contemporary issues or challenges for police?
• does the project/event or activity add value to existing community efforts or link with existing social infrastructure?
• can the project/event or activity attract other funding or support where appropriate?
• is there community involvement and participation throughout all stages of the project?
• is the project a one-off or will it be ongoing?

How are the applications assessed?

Applications will be assessed against the following factors:

• all eligibility criteria for funding are met
• the application supports the mission statement and strategic direction of the Mosaic Fund
• demonstrated need or reason for the project
• project accountability
• expected outcomes and benefits for all stakeholders
• inclusion of all relevant documentation

Receiving Applications

The Mosaic Fund has a formal application form attached to these guidelines. Applications will be considered by the Australasian Police Multicultural Advisory Bureau Assessment Panel.

Applicants should be aware that the limited funds of the Bureau do not allow for all proposals of merit to be funded. An unsuccessful application does not necessarily mean that it was not well regarded by the selection panel. Accordingly, selection panel decisions are generally not open to review.

The Mosaic Fund will consider grants of up to $3000.

Conditions of Funding

Applicants seeking funds through this program must be prepared to sign a Funding Agreement in the event that their application is successful which covers the following areas:

• terms of agreement and the level of funding and payment schedules
• details of how funds are spent
• assessment and review of the project
• report upon completion of project
• identification of all parties involved
• recognition of the Bureau must be evident in all printed material and at all events
• financial statement certifying expenditure.

Procedures

Mosaic Fund funding applications must address the selection criteria and identified themes.

All applicants must complete the Grants Application Form. It is essential that all questions are answered and all requested information and documentation are supplied.

All applicants will be informed of the outcome by letter.

For more information

If you have any questions about The Mosaic Fund, please contact:

Australasian Police Advisory Bureau
P.O. Box 415
Melbourne Victoria 3005 Australia
Tel: (03) 9603 8341
Fax: (03) 9603 8330
Email: info@apmab.gov.au