The Gozo Ministry has issued a notice inviting interested artisans to submit their applications for incubation space at the recently inaugurated Crafts Incubation Centre in Ghajnsielem.

Ten workshops will be allotted to those individuals who plan to start their own artisan activity in Gozo, in order to give them the much needed support at the start up stage. Relative space will not exceed 63m² and the period of incubation shall be of a minimum of one year up to a maximum of three. Artisans will also be able to use the services and other facilities available at the annexed Wistin Camilleri Gozo Centre for Arts and Crafts, which has also recently undergone extensive improvement works.

The building of the new Crafts Incubation Centre and an extension to the Wistin Camilleri Gozo Centre for Arts and Crafts involved an investment of e850,000 from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under the Structural Funds Programme for Malta 2004-2006. The Maltese government funded 25 per cent of the total project costs.

This project was mainly intended to boost the crafts sector in Gozo whilst tapping the potential this sector presents in the generation of employment on the island.

The Crafts Incubation Centre provides support to those who wish to benefit from this opportunity and start their own business in this important economic sector for Gozo.

Further information and applications may be obtained from the Department of Corporate Services within the Ministry for Gozo or downloaded from the ministry’s website http://www.gozo.gov.mt/pages.aspx?page=1615.

Applicants may submit the filled-in forms in the tender box at the Accounts Section of the department, up to 12 noon on Monday, 30 June.