The Minister for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government José Herrera together with the Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi presided over the signing of grant agreements with four local councils under the “Small Grant Scheme”: Local Development and Poverty Reduction in Urban Communities’, co-financed by the Norwegian fund.
The local councils that are benefiting from the first call of this scheme are the local councils of Floriana, Tarxien, Tal-Pietà and Ta ’Xbiex. The said councils will be benefiting from the sum of € 365,800. This is part of funding provided to the Local Government Division through the Norway Funds Program, which totals € 1.2 million.
Minister Herrera explained that the Floriana Local Council will build a Center for the Elderly, which will be accessible through the installation of an elevator, which will serve as a social stimulus for the elderly of the locality. The Tarxien Local Council will build an reach out center that will be used to teach handicrafts, IT courses, academic courses, as well as physical exercises. Pietà Local Council will develop a community center to strengthen social inclusion, while Ta ‘Xbiex Local Council will place Smart Bins on the promenade to improve the waste management system in the locality.
Minister Herrera stated that these funds have a social purpose and are aimed at benefiting those councils that are urban and most vulnerable. Through these social projects, they will improve the quality of life of the community.
Parliamentary Secretary Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi said the scheme, which is being funded through a Norwegian fund (Nowergian Grants), is another measure that will be incentivizing more work and projects in favor of better and healthier communities. He said that this government, through these funds, will be giving all the necessary tools to the local councils so that they will have to work and carry out more positive changes in their respective localities.
The Parliamentary Secretary concluded by saying that, in addition to this scheme, there are other Norwegian funds allocated to different sectors including health, the social field with funds that will go directly to the Support Agency, as well as the Museum. Maritime.
