The Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion Ministry has launched a call for development projects, subsidised by a 90% government grant, to be implemented by CVO-registered NGOs in north and Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East, preferably where Malta has diplomatic representation.

Partnering with NGOs through such projects represents one way the Maltese government applies its Official Development Assistance (ODA) and its commitment towards reaching the sustainable development targets of the 2030 agenda, the ministry said in a statement.

Malta’s overseas development commitments signal Malta’s intention to engage proactively with Africa, in particular, through a combined trade and development policy. These projects help build more resilient communities, improve access to proper healthcare and create opportunities in the educational sector that collectively aim to improve people’s lives.

“Annual calls for projects in support of development and capacity-building projects are an expression of partnership and commitment to change in line with Malta’s international commitments. NGOs are valued partners. Their people-to-people approach through local partnerships ensures that these funds can make a real difference to local communities”, Minister Carmelo Abela said.

Appreciative of the direct role that NGOs have in implementing the external dimension of the 2030 agenda, over the past year, the ministry embarked on a consultation exercise to understand needs based on their first-hand experience.

The 90% grant share shall be awarded on the ODA-eligible project costs at a capping of €75,000 per project and within the limits of the ministry’s financial provision for ODA projects for 2019.

Project proposals are to be exclusively submitted online on www.vofunding.org.mt by not later than noon of Friday, 15th February 2019.