Joining the ranks of renewed financial schemes such as those for annual cultural events are novel ones aimed at stimulating infrastructure and the environment in local and regional governments, the government said on Monday.

The Parliamentary Secretary of Local Governance Alison Zerafa Civelli said that €3 million was allocated to local councils in order to allow them to benefit from schemes. She said that these schemes are aimed at improving the aesthetics and the cultural activities of localities around Malta and Gozo.

Zerafa Civelli said that amongst these schemes are those linked to annual cultural activities including Christmas and Carnival. Apart from schemes related to culture, were also schemes aimed at the financing of better communities of a higher quality as well as schemes for infrastructural and environmental projects, she said.

Zerafa Civelli noted the important role of the local councils in the development of communities and the drafting of local policy. She added that “No one knows the needs of a locality and its residents better than the mayors and their councillors.”

Zerafa Civelli said that the government fully believes in local and regional councils, which is why more financial schemes, initiatives and opportunities will be created. This will allow the government to keep on helping the councils carry out and create more projects, she said.

 Zerafa Civelli said that these schemes join the ranks of others issued by other ministries and authorities with the government once again investing a “substantial” amount in the schemes.