Local Councils’ Association Philoxenia Project 6th Steering Committee Meeting Lithotopos, Greece 26 th – 27 th September, 2011

Local Councils’ Association

Philoxenia Project

6th Steering Committee Meeting

Lithotopos, Greece

26th – 27th September, 2011


Presentation by the Malta Team:

Jimmy Magro – Project Manager

Maureen Azzopardi – EU Projects Officer

Saviour Baldacchino – External Consultant


Project Management• co-ordination with Lead Partner

• co-ordination with internal staff and external consultant

• following the project’s strategy for implementation

• communications of project’s achievements

• completion of fifth financial claim up to 30/09/2011

• co-ordination with LCA auditor

• co-ordination with PPCD (MA)

• co-ordination with the State Aid Board


• updating the LCA webpage and e-newsletter to give publicity to the Philoxenia Project

• Several meetings with Entrepreneurs

• Signed of Grant Agreements with 17 entrepreneurs

• Assisting entrepreneurs with local bureaucracy

• Follow up with entrepreneurs to submit grant claim

• Analysis of grant claims from nine entrepreneurs prior to submission to PPCD for verification


• held major information meeting with entrepreneurs attended by LCA President and Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government (OPM) on the 17th May 2011



Article on the Local Councils’ Association e-newsletter: August 2011


PROJECTSPROJECTS

List of Applications under ConsiderationList of Applications under Consideration

Applications and Contacts made with 44 projectsApplications and Contacts made with 44 projects

Preliminary Applications submitted: 35Preliminary Applications submitted: 35

Full Applications: 19Full Applications: 19

Approvied Projects: 18Approvied Projects: 18

One application withdrawnOne application withdrawn


Reception Centre

Mr. Mario Muscat, of Dingli, applied to set up an reception centre in Dingli. The centre will compliment the heritage trail proposed by the Local Council and will act as the institute for such a trail by offering various direct and indirect facilities, including observation and protection of species and promotion of education to protect same as they are part of the environment. Mr Muscat is qualified in food preparation and is a self motivated and experienced person.


Accountant

Ms Sharon Zammit, of Sannat, Gozo applied for assistance to set up of a professional office in Gozo to offer accounting services in the region. She is a qualified accountant.


Pottery & Glass

Ms. Mary Portelli, of Nadur Gozo applied to set up a micro enterprise to produce creative mosaic products to be used for home decoration and as souvenirs.

These mosaic works would be produced using mixed products which would include various recycled materials such as glass, porcelain and other found objects including limestone cut-offs.


Online ServicesOnline Services

Mr Keith FenechMr Keith Fenech of Mellieha applied for assistance to of Mellieha applied for assistance to set up a company called set up a company called Trackerbird Ltd which will Trackerbird Ltd which will provide an online service to both local and foreign provide an online service to both local and foreign software development companies. The service will help software development companies. The service will help software vendors track how customers are using their software vendors track how customers are using their software. The system will enable tracking and reporting software. The system will enable tracking and reporting on software usage activity after the software is installed on software usage activity after the software is installed on the client side. Apart from other functions, the service on the client side. Apart from other functions, the service will also include a marketing framework which software will also include a marketing framework which software vendors can use as a communications channel with their vendors can use as a communications channel with their customers.customers.


Reuse of Clothing

Mr Brian Cardona of Zebbug applied for assiatance to set up a company to start collecting unwanted clothes by means of special skips at local councils for recycling.


Heritage Trail

Mr. Mario Cardona, on behalf of Koperattiva Rurali Manikata of The Armoury, Il-Kamp ta’ Għajn Tuffieħa, Triq il-Manikata, Manikata applied for assiatance to develop the surrounding environment, investing in its protection and at the same time help farmers to supplement their income by inviting people to visit their farms and fields with all the resources they contained. The latter include farm animals, a historic farmstead called ir-Razzett tal-Qasam, a beach post built by the British Military in 1935, an apiary, a WWII air raid shelter, several Punic tombs, a variety of endemic and indigenous trees, shrubs and plants, a market garden and a vineyard.


RestaurantRestaurant

Mr Gordon Anthony Camilleri of Mr Gordon Anthony Camilleri of Nadur, Gozo,Nadur, Gozo, applied for applied for assistance assistance to set up a restaurant with a good reputation, to set up a restaurant with a good reputation, delivering a good product and a good service. Promoting delivering a good product and a good service. Promoting the island’s native dishes is an asset while making the the island’s native dishes is an asset while making the customers happy and foreign customers enjoying their customers happy and foreign customers enjoying their stay while appreciating our food culture.stay while appreciating our food culture.


Community PharmacyCommunity Pharmacy

Mr Ian C Ellul of Luqa applied for assistance to establish a Mr Ian C Ellul of Luqa applied for assistance to establish a community pharmacy with a clinic in a rural locality of community pharmacy with a clinic in a rural locality of Safi. The specialists attending the clinic will bring the Safi. The specialists attending the clinic will bring the patients and their healthcare providers nearer.patients and their healthcare providers nearer.


LaboratoryLaboratory

Mr. Mario Fava of Marsascala applied to set an Analytical Mr. Mario Fava of Marsascala applied to set an Analytical and Diagnostic Laboratory in the industrial area of Tal- and Diagnostic Laboratory in the industrial area of Tal- Handaq (Qormi). Handaq industrial area is a central Handaq (Qormi). Handaq industrial area is a central location in Malta and hosts a number of businesses location in Malta and hosts a number of businesses mainly in the automobile sector. There is a substantial mainly in the automobile sector. There is a substantial amount of space where one can encourage more hi tech amount of space where one can encourage more hi tech and bio tech industries to setup shop in this region. The and bio tech industries to setup shop in this region. The availability of our laboratory in this region provides availability of our laboratory in this region provides added value for both locals and the industry. added value for both locals and the industry. Pharmaceutical and food industry investment in Malta is Pharmaceutical and food industry investment in Malta is a growing trend hence our laboratory would offer added a growing trend hence our laboratory would offer added value to this sector.value to this sector.


RestaurantRestaurant

Mr Joseph Spiteri of Xaghra, Gozo applied to set up a Mr Joseph Spiteri of Xaghra, Gozo applied to set up a Restaurant and Lounge offering a wide selection of food Restaurant and Lounge offering a wide selection of food and drinks, focusing on wide variety of grilled meats and and drinks, focusing on wide variety of grilled meats and fish. The Restaurant will be catering also for persons with fish. The Restaurant will be catering also for persons with special dietary requirements.special dietary requirements.


Health & SafetyHealth & Safety

Mr Etienne Scerri of Mqabba, applied for assistance to set Mr Etienne Scerri of Mqabba, applied for assistance to set up a micro enterprise called OHS 4 SME as a sole trader up a micro enterprise called OHS 4 SME as a sole trader with the specific intention of facilitating the with the specific intention of facilitating the understanding and implementation of Health and Safety understanding and implementation of Health and Safety regulations as a culture within organisations. This culture regulations as a culture within organisations. This culture can be successfully embraced through the use of can be successfully embraced through the use of different tools designed to bring the employer closer to different tools designed to bring the employer closer to legislated regulationslegislated regulations


AromatherapyAromatherapy

Mr Stephen Cordina of Bahar ic-Caghaq, applied to set a Mr Stephen Cordina of Bahar ic-Caghaq, applied to set a micro enterprise as a sole trader aimed at becoming the micro enterprise as a sole trader aimed at becoming the foremost provider of Natural and Aromatherapy products foremost provider of Natural and Aromatherapy products in Malta that are for use as cosmetic, beauty, or toiletry in Malta that are for use as cosmetic, beauty, or toiletry products for all types of skin, hair, and other personal products for all types of skin, hair, and other personal use; initially for the Maltese market and ultimately use; initially for the Maltese market and ultimately serving a wider international market. The introduction of serving a wider international market. The introduction of a new brand of natural skin products and related a new brand of natural skin products and related therapeutic materials and accessories are created from therapeutic materials and accessories are created from Plant extracts as well as Maltese Honey and Olive oil.Plant extracts as well as Maltese Honey and Olive oil.


RetailRetail

Ms Marie Claire Camilleri of, Sliema applied for assistance Ms Marie Claire Camilleri of, Sliema applied for assistance to set up a micro enterprise, called Glorious Greens, as a to set up a micro enterprise, called Glorious Greens, as a sole trader to start sprouting beans and living salads. sole trader to start sprouting beans and living salads. Applicant performed market research and realized that Applicant performed market research and realized that that when it comes to sprouts, Malta relies solely on that when it comes to sprouts, Malta relies solely on imports, which due to the long shipping time, the end imports, which due to the long shipping time, the end product is not fresh, giving way to contamination and product is not fresh, giving way to contamination and spoiled produce. The Glorious Greens aims at providing spoiled produce. The Glorious Greens aims at providing the local retail market with fresh sprouts on a bi weekly the local retail market with fresh sprouts on a bi weekly basis.basis.


AgrotourismAgrotourism

Mr Mr Abraham SaidAbraham Said of of, Xaghra, Gozo,, Xaghra, Gozo, applied for assistance applied for assistance to set up a limited liability company with the main to set up a limited liability company with the main objective of letting holiday farmhouses, guest houses and objective of letting holiday farmhouses, guest houses and flats in Gozo, to both Maltese and foreign touristsflats in Gozo, to both Maltese and foreign tourists


EntertainmentEntertainment

Mr Mr Sigmund MifsudSigmund Mifsud of of, Ta' Giorni,, Ta' Giorni, applied for assistance applied for assistance to set a company that will provide services in the to set a company that will provide services in the performing arts and entertainment industry. It will act as performing arts and entertainment industry. It will act as an agency that provides various types of assistance to an agency that provides various types of assistance to promote local artists, including introduction of the artist promote local artists, including introduction of the artist to a network of producers and sponsors, professional to a network of producers and sponsors, professional curriculum vitae, provide opportunities to perform in curriculum vitae, provide opportunities to perform in events, matching artist with producer requests, events, matching artist with producer requests, involvement of artists in organised events, help them involvement of artists in organised events, help them build a reputation in their field or discipline.build a reputation in their field or discipline.


AdvertisingAdvertising

Mr Alan Piscopo of Gudja, applied for assistance to set up Mr Alan Piscopo of Gudja, applied for assistance to set up a business which deals in advertising, publishing, printing a business which deals in advertising, publishing, printing and marketing and related consultancy services. KAP and marketing and related consultancy services. KAP services shall assist micro enterprises and SMEs in services shall assist micro enterprises and SMEs in reaching potential business relationships and in reaching potential business relationships and in approaching new opportunities through creative approaching new opportunities through creative marketing and other promotional strategies.marketing and other promotional strategies.


Industrial EstateIndustrial Estate

Mr Kenneth Abela of Marsascala, applied for assistance Mr Kenneth Abela of Marsascala, applied for assistance to set up a company called Ta' Maggi Services Limited to set up a company called Ta' Maggi Services Limited that will be charged with the constant maintenance and that will be charged with the constant maintenance and cleaning of the park, warehouses and administrative cleaning of the park, warehouses and administrative office space. The motivation behind this project is that office space. The motivation behind this project is that Ta' Maggi Services will expand to provide management Ta' Maggi Services will expand to provide management services to other industrial parks, amongst other clients, services to other industrial parks, amongst other clients, (including Government-owned industrial parks) - tasks (including Government-owned industrial parks) - tasks Ta' Maggi Services will take on for these clients will Ta' Maggi Services will take on for these clients will include general management. include general management.


WineryWinery

Mr Anthony Hili from Xaghra, Gozo has set up a family Mr Anthony Hili from Xaghra, Gozo has set up a family winery to carry out the long tradition of his ancestors. winery to carry out the long tradition of his ancestors. The vineyards are located at Qala where the grapes The vineyards are located at Qala where the grapes benefit from special soil and the rising sun. The winery is benefit from special soil and the rising sun. The winery is located in an underground structure that is beneficial to located in an underground structure that is beneficial to cool down the operational floors by natural processes. cool down the operational floors by natural processes. The winery is in to further expand and new machinery is The winery is in to further expand and new machinery is being purchased to increase efficiency and quality.being purchased to increase efficiency and quality.


Approval of Projects:Approval of Projects:

The projects are being approved by the Executive Committee of the Local The projects are being approved by the Executive Committee of the Local Councils’ Association on the recommendation of the Project Steering Group. Councils’ Association on the recommendation of the Project Steering Group. Projects were approved as follows:Projects were approved as follows:

01/11/2010 – Three project01/11/2010 – Three project 10/01/2011 – Three Projects10/01/2011 – Three Projects 26/02/2011 – Four Projects26/02/2011 – Four Projects 18/04/2011 – Three Projects18/04/2011 – Three Projects 21/06/2011 – Three Projects21/06/2011 – Three Projects 22/07/2011 – One Project22/07/2011 – One Project 26/08/2011 – One Project26/08/2011 – One Project


Signing Ceremony at the LCA offices with LCA President Mr. Michael Cohen and Parliamentary Secretary Hon. Chris Said on 17/05/2011


Finance

First Claim up to March 2011:Certified Amount: €97,525.00ERDF: €29,532.00

Amount Refunded: €55,524.00

Budget Uptake up to 30/09/2011 = 41%

Fourth Claim up to September 2011:Forecasted Claim Amount: €48,570.00


Documents sent to Mr. Eric Gazon

Preliminary Applications of 16 beneficiariesPreliminary Applications of 16 beneficiaries Detailed Applications of 16 beneficiariesDetailed Applications of 16 beneficiaries Minutes of the LCA Executive Board detailing the Minutes of the LCA Executive Board detailing the

approval of Applicationsapproval of Applications Reports by Mr. Saviour Baldacchino re: approval of Reports by Mr. Saviour Baldacchino re: approval of

reportsreports 16 Agreements16 Agreements Evaluation Scorecards of all BeneficiariesEvaluation Scorecards of all Beneficiaries Notes on Individual Projects for the first 10 beneficiariesNotes on Individual Projects for the first 10 beneficiaries Feedback Forms Feedback Forms


Follow-UpFollow-Up

Continue to evaluate grants claimsContinue to evaluate grants claims Coordination with the PPCD to approve grant Coordination with the PPCD to approve grant

claimsclaims Signing of the last 2 AgreementsSigning of the last 2 Agreements Distribution of Funds to entrepreneursDistribution of Funds to entrepreneurs Training & Monitoring of projectsTraining & Monitoring of projects Submit more articles to the project’s newsletterSubmit more articles to the project’s newsletter Creation of Philoxenia NetworkCreation of Philoxenia Network


THANK YOUTHANK YOU