Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1537666
4 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 20 JULY 2025 NEWS ANNOUNCEMENT OF A CALL FOR PROJECT PROPOSALS UNDER The European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund 2021-2027 The Ministry responsible for European Funds would like to announce that it is launching a call for project proposals in the following area: Specific Objective 1.1 – Strengthening economically, socially and environmentally sustainable fishing activities This call shall be open to MFA and MFB licensed fishers and shall specifically focus on Diversification of fishing activities scheme targeting the development of complementary activities, which may include inter alia investments on board, angling tourism, restaurants, environmental services related to fishing and educational activities. Investments may also be aimed that the retrofitting of Small Scale Coastal Fishing vessels for activities complementary to commercial fishing, thus increasing the potential for ancillary employment opportunities on land. Applications should be submitted electronically on the Structural Funds Database available at sfd.gov.mt/application by not later than 10 th October 2025, 31 st December 2025, 31 st March 2026, 30 th June 2026, 30 th September 2026 and 31 st December 2026 at noon. The online application form for the submission of project proposals and supporting documentation are available on https://fondi.eu/what-funding-is-available/replacement-or-modernisation-of-engines-of- fishing-vessels-scheme/. Any queries should be sent by email on fondi.eu@gov.mt. Three dedicated information sessions are being organised on the following dates: 1. Monday 21 st July 2025 – Gozo Experimental Farm, Xewkija at 10.00 a.m. 2. Tuesday 22 nd July 2025 - Marsaxlokk, Pompei Hall at 5.00 p.m. 3. Wednesday 23 rd July 2025 – San Pawl il-Baħar, Alleluia Hall, Triq San Franġisk at 5.00 p.m. Register for one of the information sessions by scanning the QR code below: Kitchen Garden: Major works stall reopening Safety concerns forced its closure in August 2024, but a year later, the President's Kitchen Garden remains closed while extensive works remain underway ALMOST a year since the Kitchen Garden closed its doors to the public, exten- sive works taking place on site mean there is no reopening date in sight yet. Last August, the Kitchen Gar- den management informed the public through its Facebook page that the cafeteria will be closed for the foreseeable fu- ture so that necessary works can be carried out. It also said that the public will be informed when it reopens. However, almost a year since it closed for works, the Kitch- en Garden's doors remain shut. No update on the works or a potential reopening date have been published by the manage- ment. A spokesperson for the Office of the President explained that the area is undergoing major works to make the space safe, functional and accessible. Due to the heritage element of the site, as it forms part of the San Anton Palace grounds, the works required major funding and needed to respect the sen- sitivity of the area. "The nature of the works re- quired is extensive and the sen- sitivity of the site itself requires constant consultation with other agencies regarding the implementation of required works," the spokesperson said. He did not indicate when the Kitchen Garden will be reo- pened to the public but said the Office of the President is com- mitted to reopening it at some point in the future. "We assure you of our deter- mination to have the site up- graded and new equipment in- stalled so that a safe and secure open space is made available to the general public." The spokesperson said the Kitchen Garden had to be closed due to safety reasons, particularly the children's ac- tivity equipment, the material of which had started to weaken due to "environmental impact and natural wear and tear." "The decision was taken so to ensure that works are imple- mented so that individuals ac- cessing the site are not placed at any risk arising from aged equipment and infrastructural deficiencies," he said. The President's Kitchen Gar- den is a nine-tumoli space with a cafeteria, playing area and petting zoo. It was a popular space for families where par- ents could relax while kids used the playing area. However, many parents are upset that it has been closed for so long without a reopening date in sight. "It's really disappointing that the Kitchen Garden has been closed for so long," one person said in the comments section of the garden's Facebook page. "This was one of the rare spots where we could enjoy some greenery with our little ones. Can we at least get an update on when it will be reopening?" The garden has been supply- ing produce since the Knights era and was used as an enter- tainment space when Malta was under British rule, but it fell into dereliction over the years. In 2011, it was reopened as a kitchen garden concept by President Emeritus George Abela. NICOLE MEILAK nmeilak@mediatoday.com.mt The President's Kitchen Garden is a nine-tumoli space with a cafeteria, playing area and petting zoo "It's really disappointing that the Kitchen Garden has been closed for so long," one person said in the comments section of the garden's Facebook page. "This was one of the rare spots where we could enjoy some greenery with our little ones. Can we at least get an update on when it will be reopening?"