The agency European Services in Malta (SEM), together with the Division for Local Government and the Association of Local Councils, organized a conference on the benefits of European Funds for Local and Regional Councils, with the theme ‘ Strengthening Our Communities with European Funds’.
The aim of this activity was that more Local and Regional Councils begin to benefit from European funds by exploiting the assistance provided by SEM and various Government entities and thus continue to carry out success stories in the communities in our country.
During the conference, it was explained how SEM helps Local and Regional Councils acquire European funds and they are given the necessary help for the submission of the application and the implementation of their projects. The Local Government Division and also the Association of Local Councils spoke about their support for more Councils and Regions to benefit from the opportunities offered by European funds.
Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds Chris Bonett explained how the Local and Regional Councils should not hesitate to think of innovative ideas that would benefit the citizens and that could possibly be implemented with European funds.
“I encourage and encourage more Local Councils and Regions to benefit from these funds and access the assistance provided by the various Government entities to continue to carry out success stories in our country.”
Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government Alison Zerafa Civelli encouraged the local and regional councils to continue applying for Norwegian funds and to access the assistance of SEM in order to increase the probability that the funds will be granted. She emphasized that the Councils should utilize every opportunity that is offered to them, including for these European funds. She went on to say that through these additional funds from Norway, the councils will be in a better position to carry out more projects and initiatives that benefit the respective localities and residents.
The CEO of SEM, Denise Fiorentino, encouraged the Local and Regional Councils to participate in projects financed by the European Funds because the Agency is there to assist at every stage of the projects, from the idea, during the -application, as well as during implementation.
Practical examples of projects with European funds were also given, which have left or are leaving a positive impact in their respective communities. These were the twinning project with Avola in Sicily, carried out by the Local Council of Żejtun; two projects carried out by the Local Council of Tarxien – a community center and beautification works in a public garden; and a project in which the Northern Regional Council is participating, the aim of which is to bring together young people and other entities to jointly discuss solutions that address social problems.
This conference also served as a platform for networking between Local Councils and Regions which can lead to the realization of projects with the collaboration of a number of Councils and Regions together.
