New fund to focus on improving safety in fireworks factories

aArts Council Malta, within the Ministry for Justice, Culture and Local Government has recently launched a new funding programme that will focus on improving safety and infrastructure in fireworks factories, especially due to the prominent role this industry plays in Maltese culture and celebrations. This is helping to strengthen this sector as well as make it more popular among the public.

This fund was announced just this week by the Minister for Justice, Culture and Local Government Owen Bonnici who acclaimed this step, and also stressed on the importance of safety during works done at fireworks factories. The spectacular displays that light up our skies are renowned for their high level of artistry and creativity, however not everyone is aware of the hard work involved from behind the scenes to ensure a smooth outcome.

“Our pyrotechnic industry is made of talented artists who through their work contribute to our local cultural product with fireworks displays which attract the interest of many locals and tourists. We believe that this sector should be supported to continue growing since it is an important element of our local cultural traditions,” said Minister Bonnici.

This fund is being launched before the start of the festa season, to kickstart this increase in security. This sector is well- loved by Maltese and Gozitans alike, most of which eagerly await their festa each year – as well as those who also enjoy the result of this hard work, which has also proven popular overseas.

The fund, which offers financial support to Maltese fireworks factories working on a voluntary basis, will allocate grants to fireworks factories in Malta to improve their infrastructure so that the volunteers can work in a safer environment. The aim is to improve safety both during the manufacturing process as well as during the letting off of the fireworks. The grant is also intended for volunteers to invest in resources to improve the safety of the Maltese pyrotechnic product

A total of EUR 170,000 is allocated for this fund for this year. Each fireworks factory can benefit from a EUR 5,000 grant, all of which can be put to infrastructural use. If allocated to current expenses, these cannot exceed 40 percent of the requested amount and must also be related to safety.

During the launch of this fund, Albert Marshall, executive chair to the Malta Arts Council commented on the fact that the fireworks and the artistic skills that go into their manufacture are not only an integral part of our culture – often they lie at the very heart of the community.

Community exchange is one of the five strategic focuses running through Arts Council Malta’s Strategy 2020, the Council’s five-year plan for the cultural and creative sectors.

In order to qualify for this fund, the fireworks factories are required to come up with ideas and proposals on how they can achieve the upgrade of the factories themselves; on how they can invest in the infrastructure of the fireworks factories; in machinery and tools which facilitate the manufacture of fireworks and make the process safer; in equipment which improves safety during the letting off of fireworks; in training resources related to the safety of fireworks as well as on fostering better collaboration between Maltese fireworks factories.

The fund is open to licensed fireworks factories registered as voluntary organisations. In the case of fireworks factories forming part of band clubs, the band club needs to be registered as a voluntary organisation.

All the eligible applications will be evaluated by a board of evaluators according to established and published guidelines.

Applications will be available from the Arts Council Malta reception desk in Valletta or f r o m www. artscouncilmalta. org from 19 March. Completed applications need to be received by hand by 30 April 2018 at noon.