A €26 million investment from European funds for agro-tourism, conservation and rural heritage improvement projects was announced this evening by Rural Affairs Minister George Pullicino.

The funds form part of the €100 million dedicated for the country’s rural development programme between 2007 and 2013.

An exhibition of the proposed project is being launched at Independence Square in Valletta as part of the Notte Bianca celebrations. This will then be going round the different villages

Speaking at the square this evening, the minister said that a number of contracts were signed in the past days for projects under two measures - one aimed at encouraging tourism activities and the other for the conservation and improvement of rural heritage.

The projects, the minister said, would revive rural zones and villages, improving the tourism product while safeguarding the environment. They would also serve as an opportunity to exploit a tourism niche and to improve residents’ quality of live, through the creation of recreational zones, new jobs and a bigger economic and social activity.

The minister encouraged farmers to exploit these opportunities to continue expanding and diversifying their activities.

Details of the benefitting projects can be seen in the attached pdf files below.