Registered environmental NGOs will as of next month be available for a grant under the Environment Fund Voluntary Organisations Support Scheme. A sum of €50,000 is being allocated, Environment Minister Leo Brincat said this afternoon, launching funding guidelines.

Through the scheme, the government will be offering financial support to the NGOs which are engaged in environmental conservation and promotion in an attempt to further incentivise environmental-beneficial initiatives.

After a month-long consultation process, organisations can apply for a grant, which will be issued based on a series of criteria identified in the guidelines.

Applicants must be non-government, non-profit voluntary organisations which are registered with the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations and who are compliant with the Voluntary Organisations Act. Projects must adhere with the terms outlined in the guidelines and should have a completion timeframe of not more than 24 months from the date of the grant agreement.

Those who apply for the grant must not be in any breach of environment protection regulations and projects which entail any endorsement, sanctioning or facilitation of any malpractice, such as on-site hazadrs, will be ineligible for funding.

Grant beneficiaries will be subject to auditing, monitoring and enforcement, the minister said.

More information can be found on www.environment.gov.mt