The old slaughterhouse, situated right behind the Auberge de Baviere in Valletta, is being transformed into a centre for use by Maltese voluntary organisations.

The building will be passed on to the National Voluntary Council to be used by organisations which did not have premises.

Built in the 1600s, the slaughterhouse was transformed into a residential area only a few years later.

The Resources Ministry and the parliamentary secretariats for the voluntary sector and for lands will now apply for Mepa permit so that the necessary works would be undertaken.

These are expected to be concluded within a year of the permit being issued.

"This is the government's gift at the end of the year dedicated to the voluntary sector," Resources Minister George Pullicino said, adding that the work was expected to cost €1 million. There are over 2,000 voluntary associations in Malta and a directory of 1,200 of them is being issued in the coming weeks.

While the ground floor is being transformed into a centre of creativity and art, the first floor will be dedicated for office space.