Agreement has been reached between Malta, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway on projects in Malta which will benefit from funds under the Norweigian Financial Mechanism 2009-2014 and the EEA Financial Mechanism 2009-2014.
The combined contribution to Malta from the two Financial Mechanisms amounts to €4.5 million.
The EEA Financial Mechanism programme will address issues related to climate change, renewable energy, civil society and protection of cultural heritage.
WasteServ Malta will be implementing a project to produce 20 tonnes of bio-fuel annually through the cultivation of micro algae from carbon dioxide that is emitted from the Maghtab landfill.
Transport Malta will be stepping up its capacity to safeguard Malta’s territorial waters in the eventuality of an Oil and Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS) spill by enhancing its levels of preparedness and response. A study will also be conducted about the risks associated with offshore drilling. This project will be carried out in partnership with the Norwegian Coastal Administration (Kystverket).
The EEA grants will also again support Heritage Malta in its efforts to protect the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum from wall surface deterioration through the installation of an environmental control system.
In terms of support to civil society, SOS Malta has been selected (through a public call) to operate the Fund for Non-governmental Organisations under the EEA Financial Mechanism. The fund shall focus on the specific needs of migrants, gender-related issues and combating domestic violence.
The Norwegian Financial Mechanism programme will address plans to strengthen the internal structure of local government and correctional services. A third project using funds being operated by an entity designated by Norway will promote decent work and tripartite dialogue.
A project led by the Local Government Department and involving the Local Councils Association, Norwegian partners and the Council of Europe will empower local councillors and administrative staff to provide the general public with enhanced quality services.
On the other hand, the Ministry for Home Affairs will be implementing a project to move the Young Offenders’ Unit of Rehabilitation Services (YOURS) out of the Corradino Correctional Facility to dedicated premises and to establish new programmes designed to foster new correctional practices that aim to help young offenders from possible relapse and properly re-integrate them into society.
Separately, the proposal by the Department for Industrial and Employment Relations has been selected by Innovation Norway, the entity designated by Norway to operate the Global Fund for Decent Work and Tripartite Dialogue. The objective of the proposal is to improve the cooperation between employer’s organisations, trade unions and public authorities in supporting equitable and sustainable economic and social development.