Community & Youth Scheme

Overview

The Community & Youth Scheme supports and co-finances community-based initiatives that strengthen social cohesion, improve community wellbeing, encourage active lifestyles, and promote the active participation of young people in community life across Gozo. The scheme aims to support activities that generate a clear social benefit and contribute to stronger, more inclusive communities.

The scheme seeks to:

• Support inclusive community initiatives that benefit residents of Gozo.
• Promote participation in sport, physical activity and healthy lifestyles.
• Encourage youth engagement, volunteering and civic participation.
• Support initiatives addressing the needs of vulnerable groups, including elderly persons, persons with disabilities and socially excluded communities.
• Strengthen community participation through non-commercial, public-interest activities.

The scheme is divided into two strands:

Strand 1: Active Living and Sporting Initiatives Supports activities that promote sport, physical activity, healthy lifestyles and active living within the community.

Strand 2: Community Support Initiatives Supports initiatives that strengthen social inclusion, youth engagement, community participation and overall community wellbeing.

What you'll get

Successful applicants may receive a grant to support eligible costs directly related to the implementation of approved community or youth initiatives. Funding is awarded competitively and is subject to eligibility, evaluation results and available budget.

Funding Available

• Small Grants: Up to €5,000
• Standard Grants: €5,001 to €10,000

Grant Intensity

Funding may cover between 60% and 80% of eligible costs, depending on the evaluation score achieved by the application.

Eligible Costs May Include:

• Fees for trainers, facilitators, instructors and coordinators.
• Venue and facility rental.
• Equipment and materials required for the approved activity.
• Transport, travel and accommodation costs.
• Educational and activity materials.
• Communication, promotion and outreach activities directly linked to the initiative.

Eligibility

The scheme is open to Gozo-based applicants whose proposed activities are non-economic in nature and provide a clear public benefit.

Eligible applicants include:

• Individuals applying in a personal capacity.
• Voluntary organisations, NGOs, associations and sports clubs.
• Religious institutions and parishes.
• Private and Church educational institutions.
• Local Councils.

Applicants must be based in Gozo and the initiative must be implemented in Gozo for the benefit of its residents.

Not Eligible

• Government ministries, departments, authorities and agencies.
• State schools and state educational institutions.
• Applicants carrying out economic or profit-generating activities.

Important Conditions

• Projects must only commence after official approval of the funding.
• Projects must be completed within a maximum of 12 months from approval.
• The same expenses cannot be funded more than once from different public funds.