Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1470553
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 12 JUNE 2022 13 COMMERCIAL together and emerge ready to continue to carry out their crucial role within society. Last September, the Authority launched the Irrestawra l-Każin Scheme. Following the initial call, the PA received 84 submis- sions of which 72 were consid- ered valid. While the każini that applied were predominantly local band clubs, a number of submissions were received from local football clubs, bocci clubs and other voluntary organisa- tions. In total, the Authority is funding close to €250,000 with works ranging from the resto- ration of the club's façade in- cluding timber balconies and apertures, waterproofing, inter- nal renovation works and the upgrading of certain facilities. Martin Saliba PA Executive Chairperson said "We must not underestimate the importance of our Każini – besides the cul- tural heritage that these organi- sations have within our Maltese society, they serve as places that bring people together, across age ranges and political persua- sions, opening up possibilities and as a fora to explore new opportunities. Today the cul- ture of Każini is rapidly chang- ing and become more inclusive, especially when it comes to the growing number of women not only attending but at the fore- front of these social hubs." He added "through the Irrest- awra l-Każin initiative we have shown our support to these voluntary organisations by sof- tening the financial burden that the pandemic has left them to face. Maintenance works on their properties still had to be carried out irrespective of whether they were closed for a significant number of months." This scheme and the Irrest- awra l-Faċċata scheme, which was addressed towards proper- ties situated along a number of streets where levels of traffic are higher, are a subdivision of the ever popular Irrestawra Darek scheme which the PA had is- sued in 2017 for three consecu- tive years. These schemes, place the Authority as one of Malta's major contributors towards making funds widely available to promote and safeguard our common heritage. Through the Irrestawra Darek Scheme alone, the Authority made available €25million and assisted 355 first time buyers, 151 Grade 1 or 2 scheduled buildings, 42 voluntary organisations and 2058 private owners of resi- dences within village core areas. Testimonials Two Każini that benefitted from this scheme were the Soċ- jeta Filarmonika La Vittoria and the Soċjeta Filarmonika L-Unjoni in Mellieħa and Luqa respectively. Pawlino Mifsud, President of the La Vittoria Kazin said "this scheme was introduced at the right time. Through the grant provided to us by the PA we managed to carry out the much-needed works to prevent the decorative stonework on the balcony from further dam- age. Given the circumstances, we did not have the financial resources to carry out these works." President of the L-Unjoni Band clubJoseph Piscopo said "we benefitted from this scheme and as a result managed to car- ry out maintenance works to the façade of our każin. Works included the repainting of the ground floor level of the prop- erty and maintenance to the timber balcony and wrought iron railings." He concluded "not only did we benefit as a club, but the whole community - since this is a central building and it embellishes one of Luqa's main roads."