NGOs and voluntary associations that work in the field of health and disability, and that wish to carry out projects that help them in their social function can apply for European funds from the European Fund for Regional Development, until the end of April 2024. This fund is aimed at social infrastructure projects, i.e. at projects that lead to equitable access to health services and that strengthen the resilience of health systems, in particular those that promote the transition from institutionalized care to community care.
During a visit to the Caritas Foundation building in Blata l’Bajda, which offers community services, which was made with the assistance of €2.8 million European funds obtained from a similar call that came out in the past, the Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne he encouraged the same foundation and other NGOs to continue making use of these funds, as there are six million euros available for these initiatives.
“I encourage organizations that wish to access these funds to contact the office of the European Services in Malta (SEM) where they can receive all the necessary help throughout the application process, free of charge,” he explained. -Deputy Prime Minister.
The Director of the Caritas Foundation, Anthony Gatt stated, “Caritas did our best to access European funds, which were crucial for us to be able to renovate and build the Caritas Community Center which is providing a national service.” He explained that from this center, last year, services were given to around 700 people who have addiction problems, 500 relatives of people with addiction and 800 other people with various social problems.
Gatt also explained how the Caritas Foundation accessed other European funding schemes, such as the European Social Fund which helped them create a digital lab in the Ibwar Center where rehabilitation services are provided to teenagers and also from Erasmus+ which gave an opportunity to Caritas workers to continue their training, even through educational experiences abroad.
For more information and help on how to access these funds, one can call SEM on 2779 7300 or send an email to info.sem@gov.mt .
Photo: MESC
