The Voluntary Organisations Projects Scheme (VOPS) has been relaunched by the Maltese Council for the Voluntary Sector (MCVS), the Ministry for Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector said in a statement on Monday.
The Ministry said that this scheme aims to financially assist voluntary organisations in carrying out their ideas and translating them into projects for the community. It said that the amount of €800,000 has been allocated again for this year and that this amount will be shared between the voluntary organisations which successfully apply for the different initiatives, including community projects, infrastructure initiatives, or research. It added that approximately €7.3 million have been allocated through this scheme during the last eight years.
It said that an example of VOPS being put into action was in the case of the La Stella Philharmonic Society investing €40,000 in two infrastructural projects, which included both the renovation of the hall where rehearsals and musical learning take place as well as improvements of facilities to improve the area's accessibility. The Ministry continued that the projects eligible for VOPS can be from all areas of the voluntary sector, such as sustainable environment, art, music, sport, education, culture, civil rights, and youth. Apart from that, it added that part of the funds will be dedicated to strengthening inclusion related to help and disability for the second consecutive year.
Inclusion and Voluntary Sector Minister Julia Farrugia Portelli said that this scheme has assisted in beneficial projects enjoyed by many and that she is "satisfied by the incredible impact that these organisations have managed to leave on the communities around them". She added that this scheme is testimony to their commitment to empowering local organisations "to implement significant change and address the needs of the people and those they represent".
Speaking alongside Farrugia Portelli, MCVS CEO Mauro Pace Parascandalo said "it is a pleasure to continue to see this scheme being operated and cultivating good year after year".
Farrugia Portelli and the management of the MCVS visited several voluntary organisations in Gozo which have made use of the scheme, including the aforementioned La Stella Philharmonic Society, Ghaqda Festa Ghajn Tuta, and Ghaqda tal-Armar Madonna tas-Sokkors. The latter two organisations both made investments of €20,000 with support from VOPS which resulted in improvements in their communities.
The Ministry said that applications for VOPS will be received from Wednesday 4 September 2024 until noon on Wednesday 16 October, and that more information can be found by visiting the website vofunding.org.mt. It added that voluntary organisations which apply must be registered and compliant with the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations.