Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1470258
10 COMMERCIAL 9.6.2022 Il-każini – bringing people WITH the village festa season about to kick off after a lapse of two years, there is a renewed buzzing feeling of excite- ment and enthusiasm in the air when you walk into any Każin tal-Banda. Re- ligiously, in every locality you will find one if not two or three of these clubs. Spanning over a 150 year period, these Każini, which originally started out as purely local social clubs are today an important part of the community life and cultural fabric of any Maltese vil- lage. Il-Każin tal-Banda are not the only clubs we find in our localities. In fact, every town or village is home to an ar- ray of other clubs related to a sport, pro- fession, religious organisation, cultural centre or a philanthropic cause. Każini and local clubs are clearly rooted in our community – they know what's need- ed, how to reach people and how to re- spond quickly. ey provide groups of like-minded people with a place where to develop, network, garner a skill, share their passion or simply serve as a means of companionship. The pandemic's effect on Każini In December 2019, like a thief in the night, covid started effecting the lives and livelihood of many around the globe. Until covid hit our shores, the virus was an inconvenience. But when in the beginning of March 2020, locals started to show symptoms of the virus things started to change rapidly and ro- bust social distancing measures and the closure of public places by the Public Health Authorities was inevitable. e social and economic costs of the pandemic have been many and varied. While the robust measures had to be introduced to prevent the spread of the disease, these same measures have not spared their consequences. e tem- porary closure of all social clubs across the Island not only left these voluntary organisations without their regular in- come but left local communities expe- riencing an acute, severe sense of social isolation and disengagement. Irrestawra l-Każin Scheme Over the past months, the Planning Authority (PA) has been at the forefront aiding all local clubs and każini, to en- sure they survive the financial difficul- ties incurred during the pandemic and emerge ready to continue to carry out their crucial role within society. Last September, the Authori- ty launched the Irrestawra l-Każin Scheme. Following the initial call, the PA received 84 submissions of which 72 were considered valid. While the każini that applied were predominantly local band clubs, a number of submis- sions were received from local football clubs, bocci clubs and other voluntary organisations. In total, the Authority is funding close to €250,000 with works ranging from the restoration of the club's façade including timber balconies and apertures, waterproofing, internal renovation works and the upgrading of certain facilities.