Funded Projects
Round 2
See below 20 Afghan-Australian community groups and community-based organisations to support the critical settlement and integration needs of recently arrived members of our Afghan community.
Access Community Services Limited
Access Community Services, in partnership with the Afghan Women’s Support Group, will help women from Afghanistan who are newly arrived to thrive in Logan and Brisbane. This will be done through delivering a series of engagement activities that will support and educate socially isolated women in obtaining driver education, employability skills, language acquisition and strengthen community links.
Afghan Fajar Association
Afghan Fajar Association Inc (AFAIC) will be supporting new beginnings for newly arrived people from Afghanistan through a range of innovative programs from the new office in Campbelltown, Sydney. The programs will include culturally appropriate swimming and water safety lessons, driving lessons and first aid courses. The program will also assist with mental health referrals and delivering cultural programs to showcase the vibrant multiculturalism with the mainstream Australian community.
Afghan United Association of South Australia
The Afghan United Association of South Australia is delivering youth recreational and sporting activities including soccer, martial arts, volleyball, cricket, swimming, and arts projects. The project will also provide learner license and driving classes for newly arrived people from Afghanistan, men and women social gatherings and volunteering workshops in Adelaide.
Afghan Women on the Move
Afghan Women on The Move (AWOTM) will provide an empowerment hub in Canberra and Brisbane for Afghan Women. AWOTM will offer referrals, social engagement, healing activities and driving activities to support social cohesion and pre-employment training. AWOTM will also focus on a leadership program to empower newly arrived women from Afghanistan.
Australian Afghan Hassanian Youth Association
The Australian Afghan Hassanian Youth Association (AAHYA) is a non-profit organization established in 2006 to support Afghan asylum seekers and refugee youth, individuals and families in their settlement journeys in Sydney. Through the Afghan Australian Community and Settlement Support grant AAHYA will be providing support to newly arrived Afghans including referral supports, women’s conversation classes, access to white card, first aid, driving and hospitality training, youth engagement activities including youth camps, swimming programs and excursions to local service providers.
Baran Entertainment
The Music to Heal our Hearts and Lives is a project that will support Afghan-Australians to experience cultural joy through music, be it playing, learning and listening. Through music, people will experience a sense of comfort and will be better placed to embrace and integrate into the community. The program aims to increase community participation, social interaction, empowerment and health and wellbeing for all people from Afghanistan in the South East region of Melbourne.
Barton United FC
Support our seniors project aims to support the physical and mental health of the targeted cohort (members of Afghan-Australian community of aged 60 and above) living in South-east Victoria. The project proposes a number of direct and indirect interventions that will contribute in keeping this cohort connected with the rest of the community, deal with their mental, physical and social issues and assist in making them happy, healthy and valuable members of the community.
Huma Media Limited
Another series to support women to better understand the different ways they can look after their health will be developed. The videos will provide practical information for women on physical care, common health issues, common preventative health measures and where to find culturally-appropriate health services and supports in Australia. Huma will also raise awareness and educate people about the help available to victim-survivors of domestic violence.
Mabel Park State High School Parents and Citizen's Association
Mabel Park SHS Parents and Citizens Association will deliver ‘Guiding on the Journey’ Program, in Logan. This program is an innovative response to overcome the daunting social, cultural, economic and educational barriers faced by newly arrived young people from Afghanistan and their families. Culturally capable male and female staff members will be employed to provide guidance and support for the Afghan students as well as their families. Furthermore, the project will deliver multiple, low-cost projects and activities co-designed by students which empower, equip and enrich their connection within the broader community.
MiCare LTD
MiCare and a network of Afghan Diaspora Communities in Western Metropolitan Melbourne will co-design and deliver tailored and culturally safe capacity building activities that improve health and wellbeing, social-connectedness and foster a sense of belonging for newly arrived members. Activities will enhance access to and participation in Australian life and systems. This will involve activities such as educational workshops, driving programs, women’s groups, cultural and recreation engagement programs.
Migrant Resource Centre (Southern Tasmania) Inc.
Migrant Resource Centre (Southern Tasmania) will deliver a project that disperses and develops leadership experiences in a social context.
The project connects small groups of community members recently arrived from Afghanistan, in Hobart. Each group will be provided with a small budget, language support, peer leader and input from staff, bicultural worker, and volunteers to forge connections to local places, people and their own power. Participants in each group will plan three activities that reflect their needs and interests considering the ages, genders, interests and settlement stage of the group members.
MultiLink
MultiLink’s “ijtemaa, Chai, Chat” project will deliver weekly support groups for women, men and young people who recently arrived in Logan from Afghanistan. The project will use a strong engagement and consultation model with participants to ensure an actively co-designed and flexible program. During each school holiday period of the project, a family focused activity will bring together the three individual groups, strengthen links with the Afghan-Australian Community and meet positive social, community and individual outcomes for the project participants.
Muslim Women’s Council of Victoria Inc.
‘A place to call home’ is a program that helps to settle families from Afghanistan. This includes building their support networks as they build their pathway to independence. ‘A Place to Call Home’ will provide training, education, housing support, building digital literacy skills and establishing a career pathway as well as a home.
Pashtun Association of SA Incorporated
Pashtun Association of SA (PASA) “PASA Multicultural Cricket” is a community based shortened weekend T20 matches, meaning less time commitment, while playing in a fun and relaxed environment. It is designed to bring many new arrival immigrants specially Afghans and other South Asian together to play in front of their community members in Adelaide. Through the sport, PASA can link and refer community members into settlement and integration supports particularly refugees and humanitarian entrants who can participate socially within their community.
Shared World Collective
The Afghan Women’s Textile and Advocacy Initiative will be delivered by Shared World Collective in Newcastle. This project will engage newly arrived Afghan women in an inclusive, collaborative, arts and fashion project. The project will promote intercultural dialogue and connection as well as amplifying Afghan-Australian women’s voices and creative visions through heritage arts/storytelling workshops and a public exhibition.
The Social Outfit
Social enterprise fashion label, The Social Outfit, was founded in 2014 with the purpose of supporting talented sewers from refugee backgrounds to kick-start their careers in Australia. Their latest project, the Afghan Women’s Sewing Circle is engaging with 22 recently arrived Afghan Women in Sydney and is designed to build the women’s social networks, confidence and work-readiness skills. The group will meet each term to participate in community sewing classes with opportunities to continue on to further training and paid work experience at The Social Outfit.
United Cultural Support Inc.
United Cultural Support Inc (UCSI) delivers two programs that support the settlement process of new arrivals from Afghanistan:
- Drivers’ Education Program: to assist eligible new arrivals from Afghanistan to get their Learners’ Permit and Probationary Driving Licence in Victoria. The focus of the program is women, young adults and men with limited English.
- Youth Volleyball and Soccer Program: weekly training, coaching and mentoring to provide exercise and social opportunities for young women and men.
The main aim of the program is to provide opportunities for new arrivals to be connected with the wider and established communities in South East Melbourne.
Victorian Afghan Associations Network
Victorian Afghan Association Network (VAAN) will provide a comprehensive support pathway/network for newly arrived youth that could cover support/pathway for support for areas such as mental health, physical health, education, employment and social networks. The goal of this project is to create a network of support for the newly arrived youth.
Wellsprings for Women
Wellsprings for Women’s Afghan Settlement Support Program consists of a suite of activities to support newly arrived women and children from Afghanistan in South East Melbourne to improve education outcomes in both English and Dari languages. The project will also support mothers with parenting in Australia and participating in playgroups, self-care sessions and access to employment support and pathways. Supported referrals to other services will form part of this program. Wellsprings offers a welcoming and safe environment where newly arrived mothers and children can quickly develop a sense of belonging and confidence to navigate life in a new country.
ZamZam Foundation Incorporated
Zam Zam’s program is targeted for people newly arrived to Australia from Afghanistan who may not know any English. A book that is translated in three languages, English, Farsi and Pashto, will be produced with helpful information including Australian history, available services, Australian animals and Australian culture. This book will then be distributed to those newly arrived, living in Canberra or Sydney.
Funded Projects
Round 1
See below 20 Afghan-Australian community groups and community-based organisations to support the critical settlement and integration needs of recently arrived members of our Afghan community.
Afghan Australian Women Association Incorporated
AWAA will be delivering culturally appropriate, accessible swimming and water safety lessons with the aim to raise awareness of water safety within the wider Afghan community in Northern Adelaide. The lessons will address the significant risks of water and beach safety to enable participants to fully enjoy their swimming and beach visits. The program will be held in conjunction with lessons addressing the social isolation experienced by many Afghan women and children, and its associated mental health effects.
Afghan Women’s Organisation Victoria
The Afghan Women’s Organisation (AWOV) seeks to bridge the social, linguistic and cultural gaps faced by newly arrived Afghan women in Dandenong.
A range of programs will be implemented to support and empower them along their settlement journey, this includes:
- A community hub that will provide referrals to specialised support systems
- A community kitchen with weekly social programs to foster connections among Afghan women and girls
- A Community Understanding program that will provide a series of comprehensive information sessions and outreach programs
- Development of an in-language community guide
By focusing on women’s current circumstances, AWOV will take a strength-based approach to address the needs of the community.
Afghan Women On The Move Inc.
Afghan Women on the Move supports the health, mental wellbeing, growth and development of Afghan women. We are now able to provide swimming and water safety, and driving classes in Sydney. The swimming and water safety skills lessons will be culturally and language appropriate. The driving skills program will ensure participants understand road safety and regulations, as well as gain the confidence and skills to drive independently.
AFG Young Leaders Inc.
AFG Young Leaders is a non-profit youth group with a vision of empowering Afghan youth for a brighter future. AFG Young Leaders will engage Afghan women and children, in Perth, in workshops and events held 3 hours a week to share techniques to build self-efficacy, confidence, understand education and employment pathways, learn sewing skills, bridge between Afghan and Australian culture and learn information about the Australian service system.
Ariana Australian Association (AAA) Incorporated
The Ariana Australian Association (AAA) is a non-profit organisation that will deliver a Driving Integration program in Cumberland, Blacktown, Hills and Parramatta LGA. The program will include:
- Assisting participants to successfully prepare and understand Australian road rules before completing the learner licence test
- Providing driving lessons for participants to successfully obtain their driver’s licence
- Delivering individual and group mentoring sessions as well as homework and tutoring assistance for young people
- Hosting events to create bridges between the Afghan community, focusing on Tajiks from Afghanistan, the wider Australian community and services such as the Australian Defence Force.
- Delivering training for mainstream services to build an understanding of experiences and cultures from Afghanistan, focusing on Tajik culture.
Contact Details:
Name: Khalil Nasri
Email: AAA.info.nsw@gmail.com
Ph: 0449122210
The Association of Hazaras in Victoria Inc.
The Association of Hazaras in Victoria is delivering a driving education program to assist 100 Afghan women, focusing on Hazara women from Afghanistan residing in the city of Greater Dandenong and city of Casey. The program will support participants in gaining an understanding of road rules, obtaining a driver’s licence and becoming a safe driver. This program includes classroom sessions, up to 15 professional driving lessons and 12 hours of supervised driving.
Australian Muslim Women's Centre for Human Rights
The Australian Muslim Women’s Centre for Human Rights has been working with the Muslim community, especially women and young people from diverse backgrounds for over 30 years.
The Australian Muslim Women’s Centre for Human Rights will work to support women, young women, children and families who have recently arrived in Victoria by providing:
- Information sessions
- Family mentor program
- Mental health support program
- Young Afghan women mentor program
- Referrals
This will be conducted through a trauma-informed, client-centred and strengths-based approach in Melbourne, South East (Dandenong, Cranbourne, Casey), Greater Shepparton, Geelong, Weribee, Fawkner, Broadmeadows and Epping.
Creating Chances
“Football is their Identity” is a jointly developed project between Creating Chances (Football United) and a group of Afghan-Australian women, using the power of football to achieve outcomes in community engagement, education and training, employment, and health and wellbeing for Afghan-Australian young people in Western Sydney. With a specific focus on women and girls, the project will include components such as weekly values-based football community and school-based programs, football gala days, a women’s leadership and coach program culminating in the Afghan Australian National Tournament.
First Hike Project Inc.
First Hike Project (FHP) is a volunteer-run not-for-profit organisation operating out of Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Canberra. First Hike takes youth from refugee backgrounds on an all-expenses-paid and all-equipment-provided overnight hiking and camping experience. This experience involves visiting the Australian bush with the aim of overcoming feelings of marginalisation and loneliness. These hikes help newly arrived migrants and refugees strengthen their connection to Australia and ultimately feel more at home in their new country.
Huma Media Limited
Huma Media is a non-profit media organisation established in 2020 to create a diverse and inclusive media platform where Afghan communities feel seen, empowered, informed and supported and feel more connected to each other. Huma Media creates television (audio-visual) programs specifically for Afghan communities. Huma Media delivers content in Dari to give communities a voice and – through shared stories and narratives – better connect to the Australian community. This will include creating a mental health series with the support of health professionals within the Afghan community.
InTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence
InTouch will deliver individual and group support to Afghan men and young people to offer prevention, early education and intervention to men who use family violence. The aim of the Motivation for Change program is to prevent further escalation in the family violence system and support them in their migration journey. Information and community engagement sessions will be offered in Geelong, Shepparton, Melbourne and Dandenong while the intensive case management and group support will be offered in Melbourne and Dandenong.
Ishar Multicultural Women's Health Services Inc.
Ishar will establish weekly support groups across Perth for Afghan women. These groups will create a safe space to connect with other women, enhance a sense of community, provide vital information and increase help-seeking behaviours. Groups will be supervised by social workers to ensure there is therapeutic support and ongoing referral pathways for mental health counselling. The groups will provide educational workshops and activities facilitated by local service providers such as Centrelink, WA Police and local legal services and by Ishar’s team of health professionals to discuss topics such as women’s health, respectful relationships, diet and lifestyle.
Kateb Hazara Association (KHA)
The Kateb Hazara Association aims to enhance the capacity of newly arrived Afghans, focusing on Hazaras from Afghanistan, in Lidcombe in the Cumberland Local Government Area, by developing social networks, knowledge and skills to support settlement within the community. The project will facilitate settlement and integration by providing practical community support in various settlement related areas, referrals and connections with community and service providers, and extensive community participation. Specific activities will include swimming lessons, orientation for women’s services and rights within Australian context, conversational English classes, driving lessons, physical and mental wellbeing initiatives and social and recreational activities. There will also be a strong focus on employment pathways and collaboration with employment providers.
Life Saving Victoria Limited
Life Saving Victoria will deliver a comprehensive program to support Afghan groups arriving in Victoria. The program aims to increase opportunities for community participation, social connectivity, health and wellbeing and employment pathways. The program will be delivered in Dandenong, Casey, Cardinia, Monash, Frankston, Kingston, Melbourne, Brimbank, Wyndham, Melton, Geelong and Bendigo.
The ESL friendly activities and programs include:
- An employment course and mentoring program for youth, including swim teaching, pool lifeguard and first aid
- Training and mentoring for Afghan Youth to become volunteer surf life savers
- Life Saving State Championship Youth Development training and competition
- Learn to swim programs at local swimming pools
- Beach and pool education sessions and recreation days
- Classroom education sessions
Massoud Foundation Australia Ltd
The Massoud Foundation Australia is a Sydney-based non-profit organisation fostering a long-lasting relationship between Australians and the diverse communities of Afghans residing in Australia.
The Massoud Foundation Australia will establish and provide a range of support services to newly arrived refugees in Blacktown and South West Sydney including:
- An Afghan Resource Centre in Blacktown that will provide one on one support and referrals to existing support services
- Afghan women information sessions covering topics of interest
- Activities including sporting events, art-based activities and outdoor educational activities for Afghan children and young people
- Information sessions to provide prevention and early intervention of family conflict
- Hosting key events and celebrations to foster community engagement and connections between newly arrived refugees and the wider Australian community
Melbourne United Soccer Club Inc.
Melbourne United is a not-for-profit community organisation that uses sport as a tool for social integration and to challenge gender and cultural stereotypes in the South East areas of Melbourne. Drawing on their extensive experience, Melbourne United is delivering the Football for All project. The project seeks to leverage the power of sport (football) to provide a safe, inclusive and welcoming space for young women who are newly arrived refugees from Afghanistan. Through Football for All, participants will have the opportunity to participate in weekly football clinics, social activities and football tournaments to support them in building their social capital while resettling into Australian society. Melbourne United strongly believes in the power of sport and its ability to bring communities together to promote social cohesion and integration for newly arrived refugees.
Multicultural Youth South Australia Incorporated
Multicultural Youth South Australia (MYSA) will deliver a program that equips young people with the skills, knowledge and experience required to enter employment. A strong focus of the program will be to support young people to gain their drivers licence and be able to drive confidently and safely. Upon successfully obtaining a driver’s licence, participants will be supported in gaining employment both through MYSA’s successful social enterprise ‘Miss Mysa Events’ and MYSA’s extensive network of employment providers.
South East Community Links
South East Community Links’ Afghan Australian Community project will engage Afghan young people and women in culturally responsive opportunities that nurture their connection to the local community, whilst strengthening their social and economic skills. The women’s program will focus on mentoring and building the knowledge and skills of the participants. The youth program will provide leadership training. SECL’s program fosters inclusion and positive wellbeing for our newly arrived Afghan community as they settle into South East Melbourne.
Victorian Afghan Associations Network
The Victorian Afghan Associations Network will deliver the New Arrived Afghans’ Resettlement and Integration Support Program at the newly established Community Information Hub in Dandenong to support newly arrived Afghans. The hub will provide client support, information sessions, access to resources including computers and practical assistance to access local services. The program will also develop an in-language comprehensive guide to essential services, including Health, Education, Legal and Youth support.
Zara’s House
Zara’s House Refugee Women and Children’s Centre will deliver an Afghan Women and Children’s Cultural Studies program that will consist of a range of initiatives including:
- Afghan studies including language, history, art, cultural appreciation, geography
- Access to and use of technology and a library
- Learn to swim and learn to drive programs
- Citizenship preparation sessions as well as small business sessions
- Facilitation of textile and storytelling workshops with local Afghan women
- Provision and engagement in a platform for Australian / Afghan fashion designers and women’s right advocates
- Exhibition for Newcastle and regional NSW