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28 GAL Xlokk Foundation at the service of the Communities of the South East of Malta Xlokk Action Group Foundation e Xlokk Action Group Foundation was set up in October 2008 as part of the Rural Development Plan in line with the LEADER programme to implement measures targeted at local communities. ese measures were intended to bridge the gap between the rural life of the south-east of Malta and the local communities, based on a focused strategy, developed aer consultations with local stakeholders. e purpose of this strategy was to identify issues requiring interventions that could be addressed via the LEADER programme. THE LEADER Programme falls under Axis IV and is an integral part of the Rural Development Programme of the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). e implementation of the strategy was launched in 2010, when Xlokk Action Group Foundation signed an agreement, with the Ministry for Resources and Rural Aairs (MRRA) amounting to approximately €3 million to start implementing measures emanating from the strategy targeting the South East part of Malta. is was entirely a new experience for those involved in the set up of the Foundation especially since unlike most other acceding countries to the European Union in 2004, Malta had no pre-accession experience of the LEADER programme. Initial years e Foundation is run by a Decision Committee composed of a mix of representatives from private and public entities in line with an approved statute that sets private representation at 51% with the remaining 49% representing the public sector. With this representation the private sector has an inuential role in decision-making. Private entities represent- ed on the decision committee include NGO's, VO's, Folk groups, Sports and Youths organisations, private enterprise and local farmers. Public entities include 17 local councils and the University of Malta. e Decision Committee meets regularly to decide on the day-to-day administrative matters and to evaluate project proposals in line with the number of measures administered by the Foundation. e members of the Decision Committee are democratically elected every 3 years in line with the statute. e initial years in the lifetime of the Foundation proved to be challenging and exciting at the same time. It was a steep learning curve for all stakeholders not just the members of the Decision Committee. It was necessary to develop strong links between the private and the public sector to explain the purpose and scope of the measures administered by the Foundation. Secondly it was also necessary for the Foundation to explain to targeted groups the procedures involved in the implementation of the LEADER programme. e initial years also required a robust information campaign to inform stakeholders and local communities about the objectives of the Foundation as well as the measures being implemented. is campaign involved regular meetings with stakeholders and representatives of local communities, the organization of events aimed at promoting local cul- ture, heritage, artisanal and agricultural products, the set up of an interactive website, various publications targeted also at children, the organization of seminars on topics of interests to the south east of Malta. In the rst years of its existence the LAG administered diversied actions, covering a wide range of rural community activities such as rural development events, sports, culture, rural infrastructure and other measures aimed at community well being. e Managing Authority, which now falls under the Parliamentary Secretary for the EU presidency 2017, and EU funds (MEAIM) scrutinizes all measures. On the other hand, payments are issued by the Agricultural and Rural Payments Agency (ARPA), which falls under the Ministry for Sustainable Development, the Environment and Climate Change (MSDEC). Measures (2007-2013) Measures successfully implemented by the Foundation based on 2007-2013 Programming period included projects aimed at rural infrastructure, development and adaptation such as Measure 125 (Axis I) which contributed to improve the accessibility of a number of pathways, with the main beneciaries being farmers and local people. Another successful measure was Measure 313 (Axis III) – Encouragement of Tourism Activities. is measure aimed to improve rural areas and improve rural tourism especially in the shoulder months. Examples include the family park projects at Ħal-Farruġ, Saint omas Bay in Marsascala and Ħal-Għaxaq. Other signicant projects included the Żejtun and Qormi from chapel to chapel Heritage Trails together with recreational facilities. ese projects helped to improve the quality of life of local communities, whilst promoting rural tourism. Improving the quality of life of local and rural communities in the south east of Malta is paramount for the Foundation. Benets derived from the projects proposed by stakeholders and evaluated by the Foundation, include the setting up of the rst Tourist Information Oce in the south east of Malta, the development and promotion of artisanal and agricultural products and the enhancement of educational and cultural heritage. e Foundation also provided support to a number of voluntary and sports organisations in their role as part of the fabric of local communities, and community support for children. Another benet derived by local communities was the embellishment of neglected areas as a result of project proposed by local councils. e local councils play an active part as public members of the Foundation. ey also have an important role in development of the strategy for the south east of Malta. eir role will be especially important for the draing of the new strategy as required for the new programming period. e new strategy will focus mainly on measures aimed at supporting rural development strategies especially related to water and waste management, energy conservation, quality produce of traditional products, sustainable livestock, landscape and environment management, the rural economy and enhancing the quality of life. e Foundation's role in supporting the rural communities within the south east of Malta cannot be underestimated in view of the experience gained by the Foundation through its links with counterpart organisations in Italy and elsewhere through transnational cooperation. ese links are being actively developed. Transnational Projects Evidence of these strong links is the successful implementation of two projects between the years 2012 and 2015. In the rst project the foundation joined with Majjistral Action Group Foundation (MAGF) from Malta, and other seven Italian local action groups in a project called "Dieta MeDIETerranea". rough this interaction, the Foundation gained knowledge of interacting with counterparts in Italy on projects aimed at promoting rural and artisanal projects. Amongst other actions, this transnational cooperation included the participation of the project partners in three dierent festivals held in Sardinia, Veneto and Malta. A number of local producers from the South East of Malta were chosen to represent GAL Xlokk. e main aim of the visits was to promote quality Maltese products as part of the Med- iterranean diet. At the same time, local producers had the opportunity to exchange their experiences and learn from those of other LAGs. Local producers represented the cras and artisanal sector, rural tourism, agricultural sector, viticulture, oil sector and the catering industry. e second project involving also partners from Italy aimed at limiting negative eects of pollution generated by maritime trac in the Strait of Sicily, and more specically in the area of sea enclosed between Sicily's southern east coast, the Maltese and Pelagian Islands. is maritime zone experiences a high level of maritime trac due to the commercial exchanges between Sicily and Malta and the presence of several international shipping routes. e high level of maritime trac generates dierent forms of pollution, which in turn aect negatively the marine and coastal environment. is project helped to devel- op a more ecient and eective monitoring system to control maritime trac and limit the resulting pollution. Commitment e experience of the Foundation between 2010 to date demonstrates that there is a strong link between the role of the Foundation and the local and rural communities in the south east of Malta. e Foun- dation will continue to work with stakeholders especially representatives of local communities, private sector organisations and local farmers to support rural development and to improve the quality of life of citizens. Mr. Joe Attard – Chairperson/Dr. Philip Von Brockdor – Vice Chairperson GAL XLOKK FOUNDATION E: info@galxlokk.com T: 00356 20998008 Public Members of the foundation: e Local Councils of Birzebbugia, Ghaxaq, Imqabba, Luqa, Kirkop, Marsaskala, Marsaxlokk, Qormi, Qrendi, Sa, Zabbar, Zejtun, Zurrieq together with the University of Malta Private Members of the foundation: Maypole, Silvercra Ltd, MOAM, Pinto Caterers, San Niklaw Estates, Ghaqda Folklor, Arti u Artigjanat taz-Zejtun, Marsaskala Outdoor Sports, Lourdcarm, Fenech Farms and Youths Representative 28 maltatoday, SUNDAY, 29 NOVEMBER 2015