The “More Inclusive Communities" scheme, worth a total of €250,000, has been launched by the government with the purpose of promoting volunteering among local communities and fostering a greater culture of inclusion.

This scheme is designed to assist applicants to implement projects or initiatives that aid in building stronger communities while addressing at least one of the goals from the National Strategy for Disability and the National Strategy for Volunteering. A core element of this scheme is that it invites voluntary organisations to propose innovative projects that aim to promote inclusion.

Submitted proposals must make a specific reference to their respective objectives that they wish to address for which the funds are being obtained. A maximum of €10,000 can be given per project from the entire pool of €250,000.

The Minister for Inclusion, Social Wellbeing and Voluntary Organisations, Julia Farrugia Portelli, said that communities are the places where people spend the majority of their time. She added that it is for this reason that it’s important for communities to be equally accessible and inclusive for all types of people.

Also present for this launch were Permanent Secretary Nancy Caruana and the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations Jesmond Saliba.

Applications for this scheme must be submitted online by Friday, 3 May 2024 and late applications will not be considered.

The application form and further information can be found on the website: www.vofunding.org.mt. Applicant organisations must be registered and compliant with the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations, and any questions on this scheme can be sent to the e-mail address: [email protected].