Around €1 million in funds were given to the voluntary organizations to implement 87 new projects during this year that will make a difference in the community. These funds are part of the Voluntary Organizations Project Scheme (VOPS) and the Small Initiatives Scheme (SIS), administered by the Maltese Council for the Voluntary Sector (MCVS).
The selected projects vary from those of inclusion through music and art, sports projects including for children with disabilities, infrastructural projects in the buildings of the associations, researches and a great variety of other projects, including those related to -culture, environment and education.
Through these two schemes, since their establishment, more than 700 projects have been implemented with funds amounting to €7.8 million.
The grants to the voluntary organizations were presented by the Minister for Inclusion and Volunteering Julia Farrugia Portelli, by the Chairperson of the Maltese Council for the Voluntary Sector (MCVS) Gertude Buttigieg and by the CEO of the MCVS Mauro Pace Parascandalo, in the presence of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry for Inclusion and Volunteering Nancy Caruana and the Commissioner for Voluntary Associations Jesmond Saliba.
Minister Julia Farrugia Portelli reiterated the importance of these schemes which offer help to voluntary organizations and which are crucial for them to implement projects in our communities.
“Because this Government recognizes the need for a strong voluntary sector, as it believes that it is a main pillar within society, schemes such as SIS and VOPS will continue to be strengthened in the time to come. We know that society in general benefits from every project that comes out of these funds. Apart from the numerous schemes that we are launching on a regular basis, we are determined to continue making the lives of our volunteers easier through laws that continue to reduce the extra bureaucracy,” concluded the Minister.
Gertrude Buttigieg praised the organizations that successfully applied for these funds in order to implement their projects. She reiterated that the Council will be helping these unions and follow the implementation process so that the funds are used in the best way for the good of both the union and society.
Mauro Pace Parascandalo, Chief Executive of MCVS mentioned how competition for these funds is constantly increasing and quality projects are being chosen for the good of the community.
The Voluntary Organizations Project Scheme (VOPS) and Small Initiatives Scheme (SIS) are initiatives managed by the Maltese Council for the Voluntary Sector. More information can be obtained from maltacvs.org . All voluntary organizations eligible for funds, including those VOPS and SIS, are registered and compliant with the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations.
Photo: MIV
