Promoting Gozo’s allure

Around €3.8 million are available for Gozitans if they come up with the right projects for a funding scheme under the European Agriculture and Rural Development Fund’s Leader programme 2007-2013. Developing the potential of rural areas and improving local governance are among the aims of the scheme.

A Gozo Action Group was formed last year to draw up a list of needs and priorities which can attract funding for a local development strategy. Local councils, NGOs and public/private partnerships are contributing to the forming of a strategy to be presented to the Ministry of Rural Affairs by the end of the year. Consultations are underway in all Gozitan localities and across different sectors on how to define and celebrate the island’s distinctiveness.

Agricultural activity takes up nearly half the land area of Gozo, with nearly a quarter covered by natural habitats. Demand for water is high and on the increase. Awareness needs to be raised over the unique value of Gozo landscapes. Agriculture does not show up much within the island’s economy but its contribution is huge. This strategy looks to develop Gozo’s distinctiveness while reducing dependence on seasonality.

Funds for building underground reservoirs to collect water and introduce a water taxi to Sliema/Valletta, primarily to serve Gozitans, are all possible. Runabout ‘city cabs’ for Victoria are being considered. Making bicycles more readily available to rent or loan would make the need for cycle paths even more urgent.

Road signage is bound to improve, with signs showing the way to attractions and facilities in the right colours – blue for towns and villages, brown for sites of interest and so on. Mapping public footpath routes would add to Gozo’s allure, making it more accessible. Take part in a survey on Gozo’s priorities at www.leadergozo.eu.

European funds for sustaining tourism have a definite green tinge. A second call for applications to part-finance projects has been issued by the tourism unit within the Office of the Prime Minister.

At a seminar held last week to launch the EU grant, Parliamentary Secretary Mario de Marco explained that the scheme was not limited to hotels or tour operators. Catering establishments could benefit too if they opted for a project that included investment in marketing, entrepreneurship, equipment, information or environment-friendly technologies.

Diving schools wanting to install more efficient generators that minimise noise pollution and odours could apply for up to half the expense to be covered by this regional development fund. A restaurant could be part-funded to upgrade to linen table cloths and napkins instead of paper ones, to save resources and reduce waste. Part-funding is also available for technologies and networks which promote recycling and water management.

Language schools which choose to make use of recycled paper and refillable ink cartridges can benefit. Upgrading of their product to combine language learning with visits to historical sites or sites generating local produce would maximise the learning experience and qualify the school for funds.

An individual or local council wanting to restore a historical building to offer an innovative tourist attraction could also qualify – especially if combined with part-investment in interactive interpretation panels and tools.

A touch-screen station whereby visitors can access data about sites, the upgrading of websites, or forming a network with other tourism suppliers to address an issue would all help to enhance the visitor experience while making the operator eligible for aid.

With the exception of building management projects for lighting and air-conditioning, energy

projects are not directly funded by this scheme. On the other hand, positive evaluation of landscapes, biodiversity and promoting environmental awareness all fall squarely into the picture.

During the seminar, prospective applicants were told they do not have to hold a Malta Tourism Authority licence to apply. As long as their activity is directly related to tourism they could benefit. Enterprises which have been around for a minimum of five years, associations, co-operatives and non-governmental organisations are all eligible to apply.

The call for applications closes at the end of November. Applicants are asked to respect the deadline and, if possible, to hand in their application early so that last-minute problems may be ironed out.

The seminar organisers also called on prospective applicants for funding to think ahead with regard to planning permits. “If a permit from the Malta Planning and Environment Authority is needed, apply now so you can get it for the 2010 call.”

Prospective applicants are urged to contact the OPM unit so that it can see if Mepa can hurry things up. It says that Mepa have processes where it can fast-track.

More details about this and upcoming calls can be found at www.tourismschemes.gov.mt.

• Next week, a world summit in Rome will discuss the theme ‘How to feed the world in 2050.’ Governments of 189 developed and developing countries need to be reminded of commitments they made at the UN Millennium Summit in 2000. One of the eight millenium development goals was to eradicate poverty by 2015.

Throughout this month, various events are taking place in Malta to mark the call to stop poverty, starting on Thursday with a photo exhibition at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs about women speaking out on the right to food and land. Other activities include a workshop, stand-up action, theatre and fair trade shopping. For details view www.stopovertymalta.org.