Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1547380
7 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 30 OCTOBER 2026 NEWS Gozo Action Group Foundation awards LEADER grants to 14 beneficiaries The Gozo Action Group Foundation awards grants to 14 beneficiaries for projects aimed at preserving Gozo's cultural heritage, promoting environmental responsibility and improving community well- being THE Gozo Action Group Foun- dation (GAGF) has awarded grants to 14 beneficiaries for projects aimed at preserving Gozo's cultural heritage, pro- moting environmental responsi- bility and improving community well-being. The grants were awarded dur- ing a ceremony held on 23 Oc- tober, at the Mro Vincenzo Caruana Spiteri Hall in Ta' San- nat, marking another step in the implementation of the LEADER programme under Intervention 77.3 of the Common Agricul- tural Policy (CAP) Strategic Plan 2023–2027. The event brought together representatives of local coun- cils, non-governmental organi- sations, community groups and other stakeholders involved in rural development across Gozo. Established in 2008, the Gozo Action Group Foundation is re- sponsible for implementing the LEADER programme on the is- land through its Local Develop- ment Strategy, which supports locally driven projects address- ing Gozo's cultural, social, envi- ronmental and economic prior- ities. The ceremony opened with an address by GAGF Chairman David Apap Agius, followed by a presentation outlining the LEADER approach and the ob- jectives of the CAP Strategic Plan. Attendees also viewed a video showcasing the founda- tion's work and the initiatives supported through the pro- gramme. GAGF manager Pierre Lou- is Attard highlighted the pro- gramme's contribution to rural development, outlining four measures forming part of the Local Development Strategy for Gozo. These include Keeping the Culture and Traditions of Gozo Alive, which supports projects safeguarding the island's cultural heritage; Youth Entrepreneur- ship in Gozo: Taking Ideas to the Marketplace, aimed at help- ing young people turn business ideas into viable opportunities; Empowering Communities to Act as Environmental Stewards, which backs community-led en- vironmental initiatives; and Pro- moting Health and Sustainable Lifestyle in Gozo, which encour- ages healthier living through im- proved community spaces and recreational facilities. The ceremony also featured contributions from beneficiar- ies, who spoke about the pro- gramme's role in supporting lo- cal initiatives. Żebbuġ Mayor Baskal Saliba discussed the contribution of local councils in delivering pro- jects that benefit residents, while Paul Vella, secretary of the Ban- da Santa Margerita V.M. of Ta' Sannat, spoke about the impor- tance of LEADER funding for non-governmental organisations and local cultural initiatives. The main event was the pres- entation of grant agreements to the 14 beneficiaries selected un- der three of the strategy's four measures. Five beneficiaries were awarded grants under Measure 1, Keep- ing the Culture and Traditions of Gozo Alive, for projects fo- cused on preserving the island's musical, theatrical and cultural heritage. A further three beneficiaries received funding under Measure 3, Empowering Communities to Act as Environmental Stewards, for environmental initiatives and community regeneration pro- jects. The remaining six beneficiar- ies were awarded grants under Measure 4, Promoting Health and Sustainable Lifestyle in Gozo, for initiatives promoting health, well-being, inclusive out- door spaces and sustainable life- styles. The grant agreements were presented by Apap Agius togeth- er with GAGF DC secretary Paul Scicluna. The foundation said the pro- jects would contribute to pre- serving Gozo's heritage, en- couraging environmental stewardship, improving commu- nity well-being and creating op- portunities for sustainable rural development. The gathering also provided an opportunity for stakehold- ers from different sectors to exchange experiences and dis- cuss the opportunities availa- ble through the LEADER pro- gramme. The ceremony concluded with a reception in an adjoining area of the hall, which was renovated in recent years with co-fund- ing from the European Union through the LEADER pro- gramme. The event brought together representatives of local councils, non-governmental organisations, community groups and other stakeholders involved in rural development across Gozo