Funding boost to support Newcastle communities in need

Councillor Elizabeth Adamczyk visited the Full Circle Collective retail shop to view products handmade by women from refugee backgrounds through the Shared World Collective. She was joined by Katrina Gulbrandsen from Shared World Collective, Bianca Bartlett from Full Circle Collective and Mosaic representatives Maram Mohamed and Mirja Colding-Moran.

Local initiatives designed to promote cultural diversity, tackle food insecurity and foster social connections have received a $220,000 boost from City of Newcastle.

The funding pool is part of City of Newcastle's annual grants and sponsorships program, which this year is providing 87 projects with a share of almost $900,000 across 10 funding categories.

Twenty-two Social Inclusion projects will support Newcastle’s most vulnerable, with grants ranging from $2,500 to $20,000 each.

Councillor Elizabeth Adamczyk, Co-chair of City of Newcastle’s Access Inclusion Standing Committee, said that the funding removes barriers to inclusion and supports equal opportunity.

“City of Newcastle is proud to partner with local organisations to deliver innovative, evidence-based programs that make a real difference for people in our community who may experience additional barriers or disadvantage, such as families, refugees, people with disability, young people, and culturally diverse communities,” Cr Adamczyk said.

“Our Social Strategy 2030 places people at the heart of our vision, with these grants providing a solid foundation for strengthening health, wellbeing and cultural connection to build a city where diversity is celebrated and inclusion is the norm.” 

Among the successful applicants is Shared World Collective, whose project will bring together culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) women through artisan and small business skill development.

Shared World Collective Director Katrina Gulbrandsen said the creative workshop program will foster cultural expression and create pathways to economic participation.

“The Gather, Make & Market project delivered in partnership with Mosaic Cultural Connections, is a meaningful way to support women from African, Afghan and Arabic refugee backgrounds in Newcastle,” Ms Gulbrandsen said.

“By building on existing skills in sewing and embroidery, and introducing new techniques through workshops, maker sessions and sustainable sourcing and selling tour, participants are empowered to create handmade products for sale at local markets or retail outlets like The Full Circle Collective.

“The program also includes small business training to help women turn their creativity into real economic opportunity. This program will build confidence, community connections and pathways to economic independence. It’s about recognising the strengths they already have and supporting them to thrive.”

A range of other grant recipients will also deliver programs for Newcastle’s culturally diverse communities including the CALD Connect Foundation, whose Newcastle Multicultural Soccer Tournament will be held over four weekends in 2026 to foster inclusion, celebrate diversity and strengthen community connections through sport.

Issues around food insecurity will be addressed across a number of initiatives including a community lunch service from the Salvation Army and the Samaritan Foundation’s annual Christmas Lunch in the Park event.

Creating new social networks is at the heart of several projects including Connection Club’s Fast Friends events, which are designed to break down barriers to foster meaningful peer connections, build social skills and reduce isolation for people with a disability.

For more information about City of Newcastle's Grants and Sponsorships program visit www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/community/grants-and-sponsorships