Funding for social cohesion in Victoria

The state government will spend $500,000 help Victoria's multicultural communities understand democracy and deal with racial vilification.

Included in the state's social cohesion initiative is a youth forum discussing Australian democracy to be held in Hume and a cooking program in Greater Shepparton, where people can learn about each other's backgrounds.

Bystander intervention training will also be provided in Moreland to help locals respond to racial or religious vilification.

The initiatives will be delivered by the Hume, Greater Dandenong, Brimbank, Casey, Whittlesea, Moreland, Greater Bendigo and Greater Shepparton councils, working with business and community organisations.