Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/199842
22 Opinion maltatoday, SUNDAY, 27 OCTOBER 2013 Stefano Mallia Just what do we want Gozo to be? G ozo needs a permanent link. Gozo needs to develop very specific niche markets. Gozo needs to be declared a region. Gozo needs more EU funding. And the list goes on and on. I'm sure all of you are very familiar with this type of list and that you are saying, "Here we go again, another Gozo wish list!" However before dishing out long-winded wish lists, we should be asking the real question that needs to asked, which is: "Where is Gozo heading?" Statistical indicators warn of a depopulation of permanent Gozo residents just as they warn of an aging population. Of course the reasons for this are many, however there is no doubt that the economic development and the related job opportunities play a significant part in perpetuating these negative trends. This aspect has been identified by many a government and in one haphazard way or another, all have made some attempt at addressing the issue. These attempts have however produced few results of any significance… and so the discussion continues. Such a discussion took place last week during an event organised by the European Parliament office in Malta. Once again the usual list of problems was dished out, with some attempting to offer solutions. Many expressed frustration. Others believe that they have the silver bullet that will solve all existing woes. Some express the opinion that RF CALL FOR PROPOSALS Open calls for project proposals under Annual Programme 2013 European Return Fund (RF) The Funds and Programmes Division designated as Responsible Authority for the four Funds under the General Programme Solidarity and Management of Migration Flows 2007 – 2013 launched a call for project proposals under the European Return Fund on 27th October 2013.The call for project proposals under AP 2013 will focus on the following Priority Axes: Priority Axis 1 – Support for the Development of a Strategic Approach to Return Management by Member States / Y3 Action 1: Continuing the implementation of assisted voluntary return (AVR) programmes Priority Axis 3 - Support for Specific Innovative (Inter)-national Tools for Return Management Action 3 – Improvement of cooperation with other countries of origin in conjunction with other Member States Around € 390,477 (EU 75% co-financing) will be allocated to the call. Beneficiaries need to contribute to 25% of eligible expenditure and any ineligible costs. The RF is targeted to all third-country nationals who have not received a final negative decision in relation to their request for international protection and all those who enjoy a form of international protection who may choose to make use of voluntary return. As well as all other third-county nationals who do not or no longer fulfil the conditions for entry and/or stay in a Member State. An information session to assist applicants to compile their proposals will be organised on the 13th of November 2013. Interested parties should submit their request for registration to: (fpd.meaim@gov.mt) by Friday 8th of November, 2013. Registrations can be downloaded from the Funds and Programme Division website (www.fpd.gov.mt). Further information on the actions eligible for funding under this call for proposals is available from the same website (www.fpd.gov.mt).. The relevant application forms, guidelines and other pertinent documentation can be downloaded from the same link. The deadline for the submission of proposals to the Funds and Programme Division, Triq il-Kukkanja, Santa Venera SVR 1411 is Friday, 6th December, 2013 at noon. General Programme Solidarity & Management of Migration Flows European Return Fund (RF); Co-financing rate: 75% EU Fund; 25% Beneficiary's Funds Sustainable Mangement of Migration Flows What Gozo needs is a comprehensive plan that unites, in an organic whole, all the present and future projects which together will give a new and sustainable life to its economy all will be solved by setting up a permanent link. Others believe that Gozo should be preserved as it is with just more subsidies to sustain the status quo, while a few others put forward a mix of both. It is all well-intentioned but in reality it cannot lead anywhere much. I say this because until we establish a clear direction as to where Gozo is heading, then any initiative will just be piecemeal, will have limited positive impact or could indeed prove to be a costly mistake. Before embarking on specific initiatives we need to ask and establish a reply to the question of what do we want Gozo to become. While many will need to participate in this debate, it will ultimately be up to the authorities to take the final decision and provide direction. The previous administration made a feeble attempt at doing just this by creating the ecoGozo initiative, however this had very little impact beyond creating a recognised brand name. Gozo (and, indeed, the whole country) needs to know what type of investment it wants to attract. Once that is established, we must work on ensuring that the right infrastructure is in place to be in a position to really attract the targeted investment. If, for example, we want to attract online gaming companies to Gozo, then we need to ensure that the internet connectivity to the island is top notch, while at the same time develop the entertainment infrastructure that seems to be a must for the online gaming community. If indeed the authorities decide that this is the direction Gozo should work towards to, then we cannot hope to also develop a niche for high spending tourists who seek peace and quiet in their retirement years while just a few meters away we are dishing out loud music. If on the other hand a decision is taken to develop Gozo into a five-start agri-tourism destination then this would possibly mean that we should not be developing more four-star 'run of the mill' hotels on the island. At the moment we seem to be working in a completely opposite manner. The proposed cruiseline terminal project is a case in point. Of course on its own, it's bound to generate economic activity although I still need to be convinced of this. What however needs to be asked is where such a project fits within the overall development plan for Gozo. Will this project just be part of a haphazard plethora of initiatives or will it be the pillar around which the economy of Gozo will be developed? I just don't know and I suspect many others don't know either. Keep in mind the significant investment that will go into this project and the considerable environmental impact it will probably have, and ask yourself whether we can afford this project to be nothing short of an outstanding success. So it's about choices. Each choice will mean giving up something to achieving something else, but these choices must be made because Gozo cannot be everything to everyone. If we don't make the required decisions Gozo will end up meaning little or nothing to anyone. What Gozo needs is a comprehensive plan that unites, in an organic whole, all the present and future projects which together will give a new and sustainable life to its economy. In the past, initiatives which were thought to be the "winning ace" for the island, have often led to disappointing results. Isn't it time we learned from our own mistakes? Gozo deserves nothing less. Stefano Mallia is a Nationalist candidate in the forthcoming European Parliamentary elections YOUR FIRST CLICK OF THE DAY www.maltatoday.com.mt