Local Councils’ Association Philoxenia Project 3 rd Steering Committee Meeting Corinthia Palace Hotel, Attard, Malta 22 – 23 March 2010

Local Councils’ Association

Philoxenia Project

3rd Steering Committee Meeting

Corinthia Palace Hotel,

Attard,

Malta

22 – 23 March 2010


Presentation by the Malta Team:

Jimmy Magro – Project Manager

Maureen Azzopardi – EU Projects Officer

Saviour Azzopardi – External Consultant


Project Management:

• co-ordination with Lead Partner

• co-ordination with internal staff and external consultant

• studying project’s documents and preparing the strategy for implimentation

• studying communications and documents from JTS

• setting up accounting system in line with JTS guidelines

• completion of first financial claim up to 30/09/2010

• co-ordination with LCA auditor

• co-ordination with PPCD (MA)


• setting up of the national steering committee

• launch of the national steering committee

• held first meeting of the national steering committee

• discussions on the adaptation of the COP

• finalized the adaptation of the COP

• discussions on the communications strategy

• communicating with stakeholders on the launch of the call for the expression of interest

Local Councils’ Association updating the LCA webspage and e-newsletter to give publicity

to the Philoxenia Project

submission of application to the Co-Financing Fund

Preparing reports to the Lead Partner and External Consultant

Preparation for the Malta Steering Committee Meeting

Preparation of the first call for expression of interest by local entrepreneurs

Discussions with State Aid Board regarding the Assistance Package


Financial ManagementPresage Claim Number One:

Total Claim: €11312.41

Total Approved by MA Malta: €9174.14

Total Approved by JTS MED: €9174.14

Major difference arised from the treatment of the durable goods: we applied for full amount but only depreciation was approved

Now we are waiting for the refund from STC !!!


Presage Claim Number Two:

Expenses will include:

Personnel – Local Coordinator

Communications Coordinator

Depreciation Durable Goods

External Experts:

French Translator

Reception Manager

COP Adaptation

General Expenses (Malta Meeting)


For us it is important to have the re-

classification of the budget lines in order to be

able to recover our costs for the 2nd six-monthly

report October 2009 to March 2010


COMMUNICATIONS

Ms. Maureen Azzopardi


Article on the Local Councils’ Association website


Publication of information in the LCA e-newsletter• February 2009• September 2009• December 2009• January 2010


On the 9th September 2009 the LCA held a Press Conference to launch the Philoxenia Project



Article on the September issue of the Economic Update


Article re: Philoxenia Project was published on the pamphlet "MEUSAC News" that is distributed with the newspaper "The Times of Malta" that has the largest distribution rate in the Maltese Islands


The Philoxenia Project was given further prominance by means of another article published on the Malta Independent on Sunday newspaper


Distribution of Philoxenia posters and leaflets in the 68 Local Councils’ of Malta and Gozo

Presentations of the aims and objectives of the Philoxenia Project in the Mayors Meetings of• 8th – 9th May• 6th – 7th November

Local Councils’ Association One-to-One Meetings with the members of the Steering

Committee prior to the meeting held on the 21st January 2010 Steering Committee meeting held on the 21st January 2010



External ConsultantExternal Consultant

Mr. Saviour BaldacchinoMr. Saviour Baldacchino


Background

Philoxenia in the Malta contextThe region:

Malta as a Nation Administrative Borders Geography Agriculture Population

Rural region is made up of most of the mainland Malta and sister island Gozo

Excludes capital city, other cities and town surrounding the grand harbour area


Creation of micro enterprises

Formation of the support partnership Promotion by the Association of Local Councils and

local authorities Personalized assistance Steering Committee Professional Support Package Testing of the Common Operational Plan


The Steering Committee

Project Manager (LCA) Communications Officer (LCA) External Consultant (LCA) Malta Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NGO) General Retailers and Traders Union (union) Malta Enterprise (Govt) Banking sector representative (private) Department of Trade (Govt) Young Enterprise (NGO) Foundation for Women Entrepreneurs (NGO) Employment and Training Corporation (Govt)


Professional Support Package Publicity to the business Engagement of Professional Advisor Refund of Legal Costs relating to the securing of

financial facilities Financing of the setting up of the information

technology infrastructure, including website Total amount of financial aid given by the

Philoxenia project to each beneficiary: €4,500. This aid does not include the services given free

of charge by the Philoxenia project.


Common Operational Plan Testing

One-to-one meetings were held with national entities, members of the steering committee:Malta Chamber of Commerce and IndustryGeneral Retailers and Traders UnionMalta EnterpriseYoung Enterprise MaltaEmployment & Training CorporationDepartment of Commerce and TradeBank Of VallettaA number of Local Authorities

Local Councils’ AssociationReferences

Local Councils Act, 1993 (Act XV of 1993) National Rural Development Strategy 2007-

2013 National statistics Office Central Government website (gov.mt) Local Councils’ Association website (lca.org.mt)


THANK YOUTHANK YOU

THE MALTA TEAMTHE MALTA TEAM










Documents

Local Councils’ Association Philoxenia Project 3 rd Steering Committee Meeting Corinthia Palace Hotel, Attard, Malta 22 – 23 March 2010