All those involved in the private and public sectors in Gozo, including NGO's and Local Councils, will now be able to refer to a newly set-up office in order to obtain relevant assistance for better access to EU Funding programmes. This will in turn attract more EU funds on a regional basis for the island of Gozo.

The EU Programmes Information Unit (EUPIU) within the Ministry for Gozo, was launched yesterday at a meeting held for representatives from Gozitan voluntary organisations at the NGO Centre in Xewkija.

On officially announcing the opening of this new office, the Minister for Gozo, Giovanna Debono, stated that this event represents the realisation of one of the electoral measures proposed for Gozo. The Ministry for Gozo is fully aware of the particular opportunities from which Gozo could benefit through EU funded programmes. In this context the setting-up of this unit was one of the main priorities tackled by this Ministry from the start of this legislature. The Minister stated that entities and individuals in Gozo will be provided with an added tool which will increase awareness and better, more effective assistance with regards to EU fund sourcing, in order to ensure maximum utilisation of the opportunities presented through appropriate funding programmes, relative to the island's particular needs.

During the meeting, Mr Joseph Farrugia, who will be the officer in charge of the EU Programmes Information Unit, gave a brief presentation regarding the role of his new office. He further explained the EU funding programme scenario whilst also expressing the intention of selecting appropriate funding schemes, which are more relevant to Gozitan entities, from among more than 350 European Funding Programmes available through EC Community grants, addressed at various socio-economic sectors.

During the same activity Gozitan NGO's were updated on the recent legislation, regarding the voluntary sector in the Maltese islands. The meeting was organised by the Gozo NGO's Association, with the assistance of the Ministry for Gozo, at the NGO Centre in Xewkija. Mr Antoine Vassallo, President of the Association since its inception in the year 2003, facilitated the meeting. Professor Kenneth Wain, Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations, described the functions relative to his role, while Dr Max Ganado explained and clarified the implications of the new legislation, in the drafting of which he was involved.

The Minister for Gozo, Giovanna Debono, acknowledged the strong presence of voluntary groups in Gozo, giving the island greater potential in its religious, social, cultural, educational and sporting sectors. The setting up of the NGO Centre way back in the year 2000, was yet another initiative taken by the Ministry for Gozo which has borne relevant fruit along the years. This is also witnessed through the number of registered NGO's within the Association, which at present reaches 163.

The Minister urged all those present to continue in their valid contribution for the benefit of the island within their respective fields. She also encouraged them to make use of the newly set-up EU Programmes Information Unit in order to take advantage of financial as well as other inter-cultural benefits which are available through the various funding programmes. This will not only benefit their respective associations, but more importantly, they will benefit all Gozitan society. This relates especially to those schemes regarding the realisation of yet another proposed measure in the electoral programme: that of turning Gozo into an eco-island.