{"id":56218,"date":"2026-03-24T15:29:31","date_gmt":"2026-03-24T14:29:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/?p=56218"},"modified":"2026-03-24T15:29:31","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T14:29:31","slug":"communities-at-the-heart-of-sustainability-a-scheme-to-strengthen-voluntary-action","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/2026\/03\/24\/communities-at-the-heart-of-sustainability-a-scheme-to-strengthen-voluntary-action\/","title":{"rendered":"Communities at the heart of sustainability: A scheme to strengthen voluntary action"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The call for applications has been launched under the Sustainable Development Fund Support Scheme for Voluntary Organisations.<\/p>\n<p>This was announced by the Minister for the Environment and Energy, Miriam Dalli, and the Minister for Inclusion and Voluntary Sector, Julia Farrugia, during a press conference together with the Directorate for Sustainable Development and the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector.<\/p>\n<p>The scheme, with an investment of \u20ac100,000, is aimed at initiatives that contribute to the three pillars of sustainable development: social, environmental, and economic. It also strengthens the role of voluntary organisations in advancing sustainable development in Malta.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis scheme places sustainability where it truly belongs \u2013 at the heart of our communities. For us, sustainable development means a better quality of life for people. Through this scheme, we are investing directly in people\u2019s ideas and energy, while sending a clear message that we believe in a strong and active civil society. We want to see projects that create real impact and strengthen the resilience of our communities. By strengthening the voluntary sector, we are also strengthening democracy and people\u2019s participation in the sustainable future of our country,\u201d said Minister Miriam Dalli.<\/p>\n<p>Minister Julia Farrugia explained that \u201cThis fund is clear proof of this Government\u2019s political vision \u2013 to continue investing in the core of our society, namely voluntary organisations that make a concrete difference in people\u2019s lives and communities every day. We believe in policies that empower communities, encourage active participation, and build sustainable development that leaves no one behind. Through this scheme, we are providing not only resources but also trust in those who are the true drivers of social, environmental, and economic change in our country.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Through this scheme, eligible organisations can receive funding of up to 80% of the eligible project cost, up to a maximum of \u20ac10,000 per project, including VAT. Projects must have clear objectives and results and must be completed within a maximum of 24 months from the date of the grant agreement.<\/p>\n<p>Under the social pillar, initiatives may address poverty reduction, food security, health and well-being, inclusive education, gender equality, social cohesion, justice, and strong institutions. Under the environmental pillar, projects may focus on water and sanitation, sustainable energy, responsible consumption and production, climate action, marine conservation, and biodiversity protection. Under the economic pillar, initiatives may promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth, decent work, innovation, resilient infrastructure, reduced inequalities, and sustainable cities and communities.<\/p>\n<p>The call will remain open until Friday, 24 April 2026 at noon. Applications must be submitted through the VO Funding Portal. 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This was announced by the Minister for the Environment and Energy, Miriam Dalli, and the Minister for Inclusion and Voluntary Sector, Julia Farrugia, during a press conference together with the Directorate for Sustainable Development and the Malta Council [&hellip;]<\/p>\n<div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div>\n<p id=\"pvc_stats_56218\" class=\"pvc_stats all  \" data-element-id=\"56218\" style=\"\"><i class=\"pvc-stats-icon medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" version=\"1.0\" viewBox=\"0 0 502 315\" preserveAspectRatio=\"xMidYMid meet\"><g transform=\"translate(0,332) scale(0.1,-0.1)\" fill=\"\" stroke=\"none\"><path d=\"M2394 3279 l-29 -30 -3 -207 c-2 -182 0 -211 15 -242 39 -76 157 -76 196 0 15 31 17 60 15 243 l-3 209 -33 29 c-26 23 -41 29 -80 29 -41 0 -53 -5 -78 -31z\"\/><path d=\"M3085 3251 c-45 -19 -58 -50 -96 -229 -47 -217 -49 -260 -13 -295 52 -53 146 -42 177 20 16 31 87 366 87 410 0 70 -86 122 -155 94z\"\/><path d=\"M1751 3234 c-13 -9 -29 -31 -37 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Lynch","author_link":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/author\/bernardlynch\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"The call for applications has been launched under the Sustainable Development Fund Support Scheme for Voluntary Organisations. This was announced by the Minister for the Environment and Energy, Miriam Dalli, and the Minister for Inclusion and Voluntary Sector, Julia Farrugia, during a press conference together with the Directorate for Sustainable Development and the Malta Council&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56218","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=56218"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56218\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":56220,"href":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56218\/revisions\/56220"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/56219"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=56218"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=56218"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=56218"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}