Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1541318
5 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 14 NOVEMBER 2025 NEWS THE Gozo Action Group Foundation (GAGF) successfully hosted "Celebrating Gozo's Rural Progress with LEADER" at the Grand Hotel Gozo, bringing together com- munity leaders, project beneficiaries, and policy makers to celebrate rural develop- ment initiatives across Gozo and Comino. The ceremony, showcasing project bene- ficiaries and fostering stakeholder engage- ment, commenced with addresses by the GAGF Chairperson Mr Joe Cordina, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and An- imal Rights Hon Anton Refalo, the Minister for European Funds and the Implementa- tion of the Electoral Programme Hon Ste- fan Zrinzo Azzopardi, and the Minister for Gozo and Planning Hon Clint Camilleri. Their speeches underlined the importance of the LEADER approach in empowering local communities and fostering sustaina- ble rural innovation. An audio-visual presentation reviewed the Rural Development Programme 2014–2022 outlining key achievements in agri-business, tourism, culture, and en- vironmental projects, followed by an in- troduction to the Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plan (CAP SP) 2023–2027, which promises new opportunities for local operators. One of the evening's highlights was the Leader Rural Excellence Awards, honour- ing outstanding projects in several catego- ries. The Żebbuġ Local Council received the Community Impact Project Award for Gozo... The Destination of Tales and Trails while Fondazzjoni Belt Victoria's Il-Ħaġar Museum was the winner of the Cultural Heritage & Promotion Award. The Voice for Inclusion Gozo Association took the honours in the Health & Well-Being cat- egory through their Talent Centre as the coveted prize in Innovation & Entrepre- neurship was received by the Għajn Tuta Agri Tourism for their Eno-Gastronomic project. Beneficiaries from different sectors shared personal success stories, reflecting on how LEADER funding has transformed their communities and livelihoods. The event also featured the launch of a new GAGF publication showcasing Gozo's rural progress and success stories, high- lighting projects funded under Measure 19.2 (LEADER) of the Rural Development Programme 2014–2022 in Gozo. The evening concluded with a dinner celebrating local cuisine and traditional Gozitan flavours, accompanied by live folk music and a strong sense of community spirit. The GAGF, established in 2008, is respon- sible for the implementation of the LEAD- ER Programme in Gozo, bringing together Local Councils, NGOs, and the business community. Its mission is enshrined in its commitment to develop the rural localities within its territory to improve the quality of life and make this territory more prosper- ous. The Foundation continues to focus on rural innovation, environmental sustaina- bility, and cultural heritage, ensuring that Gozo's future remains deeply rooted in its rural identity - "honouring the past, shaping the future of Gozo's rural development." Celebrating Gozo's rural progress with LEADER: honouring the past, shaping the future One of the evening's highlights was the LEADER Rural Excellence Awards, honouring outstanding projects in several categories THE upcoming Victoria Park project in Gozo, will feature a large parking facility with at least 600 spaces, Minister for Gozo Clint Camilleri announced on Wednesday. Camilleri was responding to a parliamen- tary question from Nationalist MP Chris Said, who asked how many cars would be able to park in the main lot next to Vil- la Rundle once work on the Victoria Park project begins next year. Camilleri confirmed that, alongside the Victoria Park and Pjazza Assedju l-Kbir developments, the ground level of the area will be converted into open green spaces designed for families, while the multi-lev- el parking will accommodate hundreds of vehicles. Victoria Park to include 600 parking spaces Gozo marks Remembrance Day in Victoria A commemorative prayer service and wreath-lay- ing ceremony were held in Independence Square, Victoria, on Tuesday morning to mark Re- membrance Day — Jum it-Tifkira — in honour of the victims of the two world wars. The event was presid- ed over by Minister for Gozo Clint Camilleri. As the Citadel clock struck the eleventh hour, a minute of silence was observed, followed by the playing of the Last Post and the Reveille. Tradi- tional red poppy wreaths were laid at the foot of the Christ the King Mon- ument to honour Gozitan victims, members of the armed forces, British and Commonwealth veter- ans, allied soldiers, and civilian servicemen and women who served dur- ing the two world wars and later conflicts. The Christ the King Monument, created in 1949 by Italian sculptor Carlo Pisi, was unveiled by Queen Elizabeth II on 7 May 1954. The ceremony began at 10.30am, with guests seated by 10.15am. Gozo honoured the victims of the two world wars on Tuesday morning with a solemn Remembrance Day service and wreath-laying ceremony at Independence Square, Victoria