11 voluntary organisations and two local councils benefit from €175,000 for projects
11 voluntary organisations and two local councils in the southern region of Malta are benefiting from €175,000 in European funds, in order to be able to carry out projects in the communities through the LEADER Program.
The aim of these projects is to give more importance to the rural and cultural identity of the southern region of the country, while providing opportunities to improve the quality of life, the government had said in a statement on Sunday.
The Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds, Chris Bonett, was present at the signing ceremony between the GAL Xlokk Foundation and the beneficiaries.
Among the projects to be carried out are restoration projects, purchase of musical instruments, educational equipment for use by children and young people through the voluntary organizations, renewal of wells and innovative investments in technology to promote localities.
The GAL Xlokk Foundation has administered just over €2.2 million in European funds over the past five years, as under the rural development program. In the coming months, other schemes will be launched to continue the growth of the community.
Bonett spoke about the importance of these funds in bringing more investment to the cultural and social sector.
“It is satisfying to see more voluntary organizations and local councils benefitting from more European funds to continue investing in our local communities, in our traditions and to strengthen the cultural element in our country”, Bonett said.
Manager of the GAL Xlokk Foundation, Terence Camilleri, said that it is satisfying to see more local councils, voluntary organizations and individuals benefiting from the LEADER program, which is gaining more interest.
He also said that the Foundation is looking into public consultation in the coming months so as to release various measures of the LEADER program, which is part of the local development strategy under the Common Agricultural Policy for the coming years.