The Majjistral Action Group (MAG), comprising 13 local councils from rural areas and representatives from the private sector, has qualified for a €90,000 EU grant under the Leader Programme. This amount is directed towards the creation of a Local Development Strategy for the localities covered. The Local Development Strategy will indicate the type of actions to be implemented in the rural territory as well as the timeframes for implementation.

The Leader Programme is one of the most innovative experiences that Local Government and local stakeholders can implement in rural areas. In Malta this is going to be the first experience where a public private partnership will design and implement, together with the participation of the whole territory concerned, actions for the improvement of the quality of life of the residents in rural areas. Parliamentary Secretary for Public Dialogue and Information, Chris Said, praised the collaborative effort of the stakeholders in acquiring these funds which will benefit rural localities.

Chris Said stated that a total of three Local Action Groups have received confirmation of funds for consultation purposes, two in Malta, including the Majjistral Action Group, and one in Gozo. Dr Said commented on the importance of the consultation process which will form the basis for the design of the Local Development Strategy within the rural localities.

Lija Mayor Ian Castaldi Paris, who is chairing the Majjistral Action Group, stated the role of the stakeholders within MAG is crucial for the development and implementation of the Leader Project. He urged all those willing to work towards the sustainable growth of rural areas, to collaborate with MAG, which is an open structure, in improving the quality of life of the rural community. MAG will soon be starting a wide consultation process focused on the needs of the localities as well on the needs of the specific economic sectors that characterise the Maltese rural economy: agriculture, tourism, SMEs and NGOs.

The territory covered by MAG includes the localities of Lija, Attard, Gharghur, Naxxar, St Paul’s Bay, Mellieha, Mgarr, Iklin, Rabat, Dingli, Siggiewi, Mdina and Mtarfa. NGOs, representatives from the Tourism sector, agricultural cooperatives and associations, representatives of the SMEs that are located in this territory can have an active role in the Leader process and benefit both directly and indirectly from this initiative.

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