The Government has helped finance 45 projects, through funds obtained from the EU totalling to more than €12 Million, said Chris Said, Minister for Justice, Dialogue and the Family.

Currently 14 institutions, carrying out 16 projects, are being helped financially by the Government for an investment totalling to €3.5 Million, thanks to the Fund created in 2009 to co-finance non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

Minister Said, last week presented similar help to voluntary institutions in Gozo that carried out projects to a total value of €1.5 Million.

In order to help institutions make the best use of funds offered by the EU, the government set up MEUSAC, in 2008 to help share information and give advice on how best to obtain funds through the EU. Moreover two funds were established to help co-finance institutions and Local Councils to carry out projects that do not usually fall under the funds given by the EU.

Head of MEUSAC Dr Vanni Xuereb, explained how the institution has helped to process applications for 10 of the 16 projects that are currently benefiting from the fund and that NGOs have been given up to €5.8 Million in EU funds for 61 projects.

The presentation of funds took place in the Mosta Youth Empowerment Centre, which is one of the NGOs that benefitted from the funds. The NGOs being co-financed are; the Richmond Foundation, the Society of Contemporary Arts, the Down Syndrome Association, the Mental Health Association Malta, SOS Malta, the Kopin Organization, the Malta Tourism Society, Permaculture Research Foundation, Sisters of the Charity of St Jeanne Antide, Daughters of the Sacred Heart, Sliema Band Club, The Malta Association for Contemporary Music and the ‘Wirt Artna’ Foundation.