The government will be contributing a total of €250,000 to eight local council projects valued at €3.3 million, funded by the EU with the government’s contribution being made under the local councils’ co-financing fund.

Details were given by justice minister Chris Said at a news conference at Peacock Gardens in Valletta, which is a Valletta local council project on the Marsamxett side, aimed to help regenerate the area. The government, he said, has between 2009 and 2012 passed over one million euro to help 50 projects worth over €18 million.

Under EU programmes, local councils can get from the EU as much as 85% of the financing they need. In the past, councils were finding it difficult to contribute their part of the financing, which was why the local councils co-financing fund was set up.

Those benefitting from the funds voted yesterday include the Local Councils Association, the Fondazzjoni GAL Xlokk, and the local councils of Tarxien, Victoria, Valletta, Senglea, and Paola.