Meta partners with Sydney WorldPride 2023, and brings back the Mardi Gras Viewing Event Grants
By Mia Garlick, Director of Public Policy - ANZ, Pacific Islands, Korea and Japan - 16 November 2022
Today we’re excited to announce that Meta Australia, will be a Major Partner for Sydney WorldPride and the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras for 2023. To mark the occasion, we’re bringing back the Sydney WorldPride and Mardi Gras Parade Viewing Event Grants, to support local businesses and unlock economic opportunities for LGBTQ+ artists and entertainers.
Grants of up to $3,350 will be awarded to venues around Australia who demonstrate the ability to host a COVID safe event for the Official Sydney WorldPride Live & Proud: Opening Ceremony or Mardi Gras Parade Viewing Event for the 2023 festival. Applications are now open until the 4th December, and you find out more details and apply here.
The impact of the program over the last two years reached far beyond the businesses themselves, and showed how important it was for Meta to bring back the grants program. This year, the program generated nearly $400,000 in revenue across 29 venues, which attracted over 6,500 attendees. Not only did these help local businesses, but it unlocked employment opportunities for over 260 staff, who were employed to run the Mardi Gras Parade viewing events, and over 200 performers and artists who secured work thanks to these events.