Aktar minn 100 għaqda volontarja jibbenefikaw minn skema ta’ effiċjenza fl-enerġija u fl-ilma
Aktar minn €2.56 miljun ġew investiti fi proġetti minn għaqdiet volontarji, li huma mistennija jiġġeneraw aktar minn 1.6 miljun kWh ta’ enerġija nadifa u jnaqqsu l-emissjonijiet ta’ CO₂ b’652 tunnellata, ekwivalenti għall-konsum tal-enerġija ta’ aktar minn 280 dar.
Dan tħabbar waqt ċerimonja ta’ rikonoxximent organizzata mill-Aġenzija għall-Enerġija u l-Ilma għall-għaqdiet volontarji li lestew b’suċċess proġetti permezz tar-raba’ u l-ħames edizzjoni tal-iskema tal-effiċjenza fl-enerġija u fl-ilma.
Waqt l-attività, il-Ministru għall-Ambjent, l-Enerġija u l-Indafa Pubblika Miriam Dalli rrikonoxxiet l-isforzi ta’ dawn l-għaqdiet volontarji. “Ir-riżultati miksuba permezz ta’ din l-iskema huma eżempju ċar tas-suċċess tagħha u tal-impatt pożittiv li qed tħalli fuq l-għaqdiet volontarji u l-komunitajiet tagħhom. Dawn l-isforzi juru d-dedikazzjoni tal-NGOs lejn komunità aħjar u aktar sostenibbli, u għalhekk se nkomplu nappoġġjawhom u ngħinuhom biex itejbu l-effiċjenza fl-enerġija u fl-ilma u jnaqqsu l-ispejjeż tal-operat tagħhom,” qalet il-Ministru.
Il-Ministru għall-Inklużjoni u l-Volontarjat Julia Farrugia enfasizzat l-irwol essenzjali li għandhom l-għaqdiet volontarji fil-komunitajiet tagħna, u qalet li dawn jgħinu biex jiffurmaw mhux biss l-identità tal-pajjiż iżda wkoll jikkontribwixxu lejn futur aktar sostenibbli u reżiljenti. “L-għaqdiet volontarji jinsabu fiċ-ċentru ta’ ħafna inizjattivi fil-komunità u jipprovdu servizzi ta’ valur lis-soċjetà Maltija. Billi nappoġġjaw dawn l-għaqdiet permezz ta’ skemi bħal din, qed ngħinuhom itejbu l-faċilitajiet tagħhom u jkomplu jinvestu fil-komunitajiet tagħhom, filwaqt li nsaħħu s-settur volontarju u nappoġġjaw komunitajiet aktar sostenibbli u reżiljenti,” temmet tgħid il-Ministru.
Waqt l-avveniment, l-Inġ. Charles Buttigieg, mill-Aġenzija għall-Enerġija u l-Ilma, esprima l-impenn tal-Aġenzija li tappoġġja lill-għaqdiet volontarji fl-isforzi tagħhom favur s-sostenibbiltà. “Din l-iskema tirrifletti l-impenn tal-Aġenzija li tappoġġja lill-għaqdiet volontarji hekk kif jinvestu fit-tkabbir u s-sostenibbiltà tagħhom stess. Permezz ta’ dan l-appoġġ, l-għaqdiet qed itejbu l-effiċjenza tagħhom, isaħħu l-kwalità tax-xogħol tagħhom u jtejbu s-servizzi li jipprovdu lill-komunità. Billi jnaqqsu l-ispejjeż operattivi, huma kapaċi jerġgħu jinvestu aktar fl-attivitajiet tagħhom u jkomplu jagħmlu impatt pożittiv fejn hemm l-aktar bżonn.”
Preżenti għall-attività kien hemm ukoll l-għaqdiet volontarji li bbenefikaw minn din l-iskema u l-Kunsill Malti għas-Settur Volontarju.
L-għaqdiet volontarji li bbenefikaw jinkludu assoċjazzjonijiet sportivi, każini tal-baned, għaqdiet soċjali u oħrajn li jgħinu gruppi vulnerabbli. Il-proġetti kienu jinkludu tindif u manutenzjoni ta’ ġibjuni tal-ilma, tibdil ta’ sistemi tad-dawl b’dawl LED aktar effiċjenti (inkluż floodlighting f’faċilitajiet sportivi), tibdil ta’ tagħmir antik tal-kċina u units tal-arja kkundizzjonata ineffiċjenti, kif ukoll l-installazzjoni ta’ solar water heaters u water heat pumps.
B’konformità mal-impenn kontinwu tal-Gvern biex jappoġġja s-settur volontarju, l-Aġenzija għall-Enerġija u l-Ilma se tniedi s-6 sejħa ta’ din l-iskema fit-18 ta’ Mejju, u b’hekk se tkompli toffri opportunitajiet lill-għaqdiet biex jinvestu f’miżuri ta’ effiċjenza fl-enerġija u fl-ilma, wara sessjoni ta’ informazzjoni li ħa ssir fil-5 ta’ Mejju għall-applikanti interessati.
More than 100 voluntary organisations benefit from energy and water efficiency scheme
Over €2.56 million were invested in projects by voluntary organisations, which are expected to generate over 1.6 million kWh of clean energy and reduce CO₂ emissions by 652 tonnes, equivalent to the energy consumption of more than 280 households.
This was revealed during a recognition ceremony organised by the Energy and Water Agency for voluntary organisations that successfully completed projects under 4th and 5th edition of the Energy and Water Efficiency Scheme.
During the event, the Minister for the Environment, Energy and Public Cleanliness Miriam Dalli recognised the ever-growing efforts of these voluntary organisations. “Theresults achieved through this scheme are a clear example of its success and of the positive impact it is having on voluntary organisations and their communities. These efforts demonstrate the NGOs dedication towards a better and more sustainable community, and for this reason we will continue to support and assist them to improve their energy and water efficiency and reduce operational costs.”
Minister for Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector Julia Farrugia, highlighted the essential role voluntary organisations play within our communities, noting that they help shape not only our identity as a country but also contribute towards a more sustainable and resilient future. “Voluntary organisations are at the centre of many community initiatives and provide valuable services across Maltese society. By supporting theseorganisations through such schemes, we are helping them improve their facilities and continue investing in their communities, while strengthening the voluntary sector and supporting more sustainable and resilient communities,” concluded the minister.
During the event, Inġ. Charles Buttigieg from the Energy and Water Agency, expressed the Agency’s commitment to supporting voluntary organisations in their sustainabilityefforts. “This scheme reflects the Agency’s commitment to supporting voluntary organisations as they invest in their own growth and sustainability. Through this support, organisations are improving their efficiency, enhancing the quality of their work and strengthening the services they provide to the community. By reducing operational costs, they are able to reinvest more into their activities and continue making a positive impact where it matters most.”
Also present at the event were the beneficiary voluntary organisations and the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector (MCVS).
Voluntary organisations range from sports associations and band clubs to social organisations and those assisting vulnerable groups. Projects included the cleaning andmaintenance of water reservoirs, the replacement of lighting systems with efficient LED lighting, including floodlighting in sports facilities, the replacement of old kitchen equipment and inefficient air-conditioning units, as well as the installation of solar water heaters and water heat pumps.
In line with the Government’s continued commitment to supporting the voluntary sector, the Energy and Water Agency will launch the 6th call of the scheme on 18 May 2026. This initiative will provide further opportunities for organisations to invest in energy and water efficiency measures, following an information session for interested applicants on 5 May 2026.For more information on how to register for a cleanup activity, visit:https://savingourblue.gov.mt/island-cleanup/the locality.”