The forming of an alliance focusing on invisible disabilities is one of the outcomes of a series of fora aimed at creating greater collaboration between NGOs in the disability sector.

Organised by the Commission for the Rights of Persons with Disability (CRPD), the series, which came to an end with its third instalment this week, highlighted the common challenges and issues faced by NGOs focused on advocacy in the disability sector and also provided information and training on strategic planning and funding opportunities.

A number of the NGOs present spoke about challenges relating to time, skills and funding but also mentioned challenges specific to the disability sector, since most NGOs are composed of persons with disability or their relatives.

Focusing on the theme – A Stronger Voice for Disability – the series of fora was also intended to address the fragmentation of the disability sector NGOs, enable closer ties and collaboration and improve NGOs’ advocacy and strategic planning skills.

The seminar also featured sessions on strategic planning by Inspire Foundation CEO Antonello Gauci, funding opportunities by Mauro Pace Parascandalo, CEO of the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector, and sessions on EU funding by Andrea Camilleri and Yanica Cini from Servizzi Ewropej f’Malta.

“Grassroots empowerment and strengthening the voice of persons with disability is one of CRPD’s five strategic priorities,” said CRPD Commissioner Samantha Pace Gasan.

She added that, “this also includes developing alliances with individuals and organisations outside the disability sector to assist in campaigning against prejudice and discrimination, providing fora for DPOs and NGOs to facilitate collaboration among them, provide training opportunities for activists, and strengthening the voice of children and persons with disabilities in institutions while prioritising the empowerment of persons with disability in Gozo, who may experience challenges differently than those in Malta.”

The Government will address some of these challenges in the upcoming budget by setting up a one-stop shop for NGOs in order to further simplify the funding application process, said Inclusion Minister Julia Farrugia Portelli, who was present at the seminar.

Opposition spokesperson Graziella Galea, who also attended, said that such issues go beyond party politics and pledged her support to further strengthen the disability sector.

The series was born out of a series of meetings which CRPD Commissioner Samantha Pace Gasan held with all NGOs and DPOs working in the disability sector to better understand challenges in the sector and identify potential opportunities for collaboration between certain NGOs.

The seminar was held at the Ronald McDonald training centre, itself a hub for social and disability NGOs.

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