Minister for Social Dialogue, Consumer Affairs and Civil Liberties, Dr Helena Dalli, has distributed more than €36,000 in government funds to eight local NGOs.  These funds were made available through the Co-financing Fund, which is aimed at boosting access to EU funding.

Civil society organisations, which include NGOs and local councils, are required to pay a percentage of the EU funding allocated to them.  This is stipulated by the EU funding programmes.  Some of these organisations do not have enough financial resources to pay for their required co-financing commitment.  The Co-financing Fund, which is managed by the government, allows these organisations to tap government funds to be able to pay their co-financing contribution.

The Maltese Government has allocated a total of €200,000 this year to support local NGOs and another €500,000 to support local councils.

Speaking during the ceremony, Minister Dalli said that EU funds can play a key role in the development of voluntary and non-profit organisations and local councils, as well as the growth of both social and economic sectors.  She said that the government is acting responsibly when it is allocating national funds to civil society organisations that are trying to maximise EU funding opportunities.

Dr Dalli also spoke about the role of voluntary and non-profit organisation in Malta.  She said that the determination and dedication of people who perform this type of work is of the essence when it comes to the enhancement of human dignity.

The government, she said, considers voluntary and non-profit organisation as important partners in the social and economic development of this country.

The eight organisations who received these funds today are: The Society of Contemporary Arts, Neptunes Water Polo Club, Millennium Chapel Foundation, Aditus Foundation, Arthritis and Rheumatism Association, Xaghra Football Club, and the Discalced Carmelite Fathers.