The Parliamentary Secretariat for Youth, Research, and Innovation, within the Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research, and Innovation, has launched the Community Development and Innovation Scheme to promote development and innovation in the community within our towns and villages.
This scheme aims to sustain financially non-governmental organisations and registered voluntary organisations in carrying out innovative projects in the community.
Parliamentary Secretary Keith Azzopardi Tanti described this scheme as an important one that will drive our communities to better understand the necessity of research and innovation, not only on a national scale but even on a local level within NGOs and voluntary organisations that are of such crucial benefit to our community. He said, “The government aims to keep bringing research closer to our communities and promote the importance of research within the community, educating society about how these can make an impact in our daily lives, with innovative solutions that make our lives better and easier.
The Chairperson of the Community Development and Innovation Scheme Board, Antonella Gatt, said that this scheme will strengthen development within the community thanks to the financial incentive given to NGOs and voluntary organisations to continue working and investing in the innovation sector.
A total of €150,000 in funds has been allocated for the year 2023, administered by the Parliamentary Secretariat for Youth, Research, and Innovation. Each organisation can receive a maximum of €8,000 for each project. In order for the organisations to benefit from this fund, they are required to come up with proposals for innovative projects within the community. Proposals with an approach to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) will be given preference.
All eligible applications will be evaluated by a board of evaluators according to the established and published guidelines. Guidelines about how to apply for this fund can be found on the Ministry’s website, education.gov.mt. All applications need to be submitted via email to innovationscheme.meyr@gov.mt by not later than May 19, 2023, at noon.
For more information, email innovationsheme.meyr@gov.mt.
