It has been announced that the Community Support Scheme (CSS) will be launched for the first time on Wednesday 29 October 2025. This new scheme will address the needs of 900 voluntary organisations, 21 local councils and 4 regional councils located in localities that do not qualify for the European Union’s LEADER Programme. The budget allocated for this scheme is €800,000.
This announcement was made by the Minister for Inclusion and Volunteering, Julia Farrugia, during a visit to the Prince of Wales Own Philharmonic Society in Vittoriosa, in the presence of the Chief Executive of the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector (MCVS), Mauro Pace Parascandalo, and the Mayor of Vittoriosa, John Boxall.
Over the years, the European Union’s LEADER Programme has been recognised as a successful and innovative way of helping to develop rural areas. However, these funds are specifically targeted at projects carried out in localities considered rural and, as a result, a number of localities in Malta are unable to benefit from these funds. Therefore, this scheme will address this situation and support those voluntary organisations that are based in localities that are not eligible under the LEADER programme.
Local and regional councils, as well as voluntary organisations from 21 localities in Malta, will be eligible for the Community Support Scheme. These localities are Balzan, Birkirkara, Bormla, Tarxien, Valletta, Vittoriosa, Fgura, Floriana, Gzira, Hamrun, Msida, Senglea, Marsa, Paola, Pembroke, St Julian’s, St John’s, Santa Venera, Pietà, Sliema and Ta’ Xbiex.
The call for proposals with terms is available on the MCVS portal vofunding.org.mt , along with guidelines and assistance for organisations to help them submit their applications.
Minister Julia Farrugia said that “this new scheme will give every locality a chance to grow and develop according to its needs, even in those areas that have not been able to benefit from European LEADER funds until now. Through this scheme we are creating more spaces for collaboration, for new ideas and for projects that strengthen our civil society. Inclusion means that no one is left behind, and this is exactly what we want to achieve with this initiative, by empowering councils and organisations to continue serving their communities with enthusiasm and vision.”
Mauro Pace Parascandalo, the CEO of MCVS, said that “this scheme will be joining a whole range of services and funds that the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector continuously provides to organisations.” He encouraged organisations and councils that are eligible to log on to the vofunding.org.mt portal and from there find the information and assistance they need to continue carrying out projects for the good of our communities.
Organisations applying for funding must be registered and compliant with the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations. Applications will be accepted until Wednesday 10th December 2025.
Photo: MIV
