Eighty-four community-based organisations across Fiji’s Western Division have received the first round of multi-ethnic grants for the 2025–2026 financial year, the Ministry of Multi‑Ethnic Affairs announced at an event in Lautoka on Friday. The disbursement is part of an expanded program whose total allocation has risen to $2 million — an increase of $700,000 from the previous year’s $1.3 million.
The grants were presented to groups from Sigatoka, Nadi and Lautoka and include faith-based organisations, mandalis, temples, village councils and other community institutions. Minister for Multi‑Ethnic Affairs, Culture, Heritage, Arts and Public Enterprises Charan Jeath Singh described the program as the ministry’s flagship initiative, intended to empower grassroots organisations to preserve culture, religion and shared human values while bolstering social cohesion.
“The multi‑ethnic grant program is the ministry’s flagship initiative, supporting numerous community‑based organisations by empowering and strengthening them to preserve and promote culture, religion, and shared human values,” Mr Singh said at the Lautoka ceremony. He added that the steady demand from communities across Fiji underscores strong public appreciation for government support aimed at unity and participation.
Funded projects in this Western Division round span a wide range of community needs. The ministry said grants will support fencing and cemetery upgrades, water management systems and borehole installations, solar projects, procurement of equipment and musical instruments, accessibility improvements, renovation works and construction of sheds, as well as event organisation, learning and development programs and other activities targeted at local development.
To guard against misuse and ensure fairness, the ministry introduced a three‑tier assessment and verification process for this funding cycle. Applications were reviewed first by ministry staff, then by a directors’ panel, and finally by a permanent secretary’s panel before recipients were confirmed, Mr Singh said. He urged beneficiaries to use the funds responsibly so projects deliver tangible benefits to communities and promote harmony across Fiji’s diverse population.
This year’s budget boost follows continued interest in the grant scheme from communities nationwide, according to the ministry. The ministry has positioned the program both as a development tool and as a mechanism to foster inter‑communal understanding by directing modest but targeted resources to local initiatives that bring residents together.
With 84 organisations approved in the Western Division in this initial tranche, the ministry is expected to proceed with further disbursements in other divisions over the coming months. Officials say monitoring and compliance steps will accompany funded projects to ensure deliverables match approved proposals and public funds are spent transparently.
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