Nine voluntary organisations in Gozo have been presented a share of € 109,000 from the Ministry for Gozo Non-Governmental Organisations Assistance Scheme.
During the presentation, the Minister for Gozo said that this is the fourth edition in the existing format and the largest direct investment ever made. The voluntary organisations selected has agreed to carry out their project, initiative or events during this year.
A total of 27 submissions were received from voluntary organisations operating in various fields in society of which 22 were eligible to benefit from financial assistance not exceeding € 5,000.
The Minister explained that that the aims of this scheme are to improve the social, cultural and ecological fabric of Gozo, to promote and encourage a culture of volunteering and participation in community activities, volunteering among Gozitan society, to stimulate cooperation and networking between voluntary organisations and to strengthen cooperation between voluntary organisations and the Ministry for Gozo through collaborative projects, initiatives and events.
Minister Camilleri went on to say that due to the progress of the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequently the directives issued by the Public Health Authorities, the Ministry for Gozo has launched a consultation process to determine the impact of these directives on voluntary organisations operating in Gozo.
“In full consultation with the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector, it has been decided that for this year, the voluntary organisations that have successfully applied, will be given the possibility to postpone the implementation of the projects, initiatives and events for dates after the directives are suspended or next year,” the Minister said.
He explained that, “this is so that the sector is not deprived of funding, at a time when they may have been faced with a lack of income or have a lack of competition for the proposed activities. In fact, more than half of these voluntary organisations, thirteen agreed to carry out their project, initiative and events, next year.”
The 9 organisations that will carry out their initiative this year are: Emergency Response and Rescue Corps, Santa Marija Philharmonic Society, Dar Guzeppa Debono, Mnarja Philharmonic Society, La Stella Philharmonic Society, Malta Beekeepers Association, The Scout Association of Malta – Xaghra Scout Group, The Scout Association of Malta – Victoria Scout Group, Assocjazzjoni Maltija EspressjonArti Gharb.
The Minister for Gozo thanked all the voluntary organisations for their work in society and wished all those who participated in this initiative a success.
He concluded that volunteering provides invaluable work in many areas and that these allocated funds will be spent in Gozo for Gozitans/
Photo: MGOZ/Terry Camilleri