The Energy and Water Agency has invested €2.5 million for voluntary organisations to become more energy and water efficient, since 2019. Each organisation received grants ranging from €1,000 to €27,000 depending on the type of projects.
More than 100 voluntary and sports organisations have been assisted to become more efficient in energy and water use and benefited from the funds provided by the Energy and Water Agency.
Through this scheme, these organisations are reducing emissions whilst cutting their costs thereby having more resources to strengthen their operations and services within the community.
During an event to acknowledge the organisations’ efforts, Minister for the Environment, Energy and Enterprise Miriam Dalli said how such schemes like these demonstrate a commitment to advancing sustainability.
“Our country is fortunate to have a dynamic voluntary sector consistently showcasing its ability to drive positive change within our communities we need to ensure that volunteering remains one of the main pillars toward a more sustainable and just society. Through the Energy and Water Agency’s scheme, we are leading initiatives to empower volunteers, thereby generating substantial benefits for our nation,” said Miriam Dalli.
The Projects resulted in reduction of a total of 1.4-gigawatt hour of energy consumed along the past four years. In this manner, besides saving on their bills, these voluntary organisations have also managed to reduce carbon emissions (CO2) by more than 500 tonnes.
Voluntary organisations benefitting from this scheme range from social clubs, music, and sports organisations, amongst others. Some of the projects carried out in the facilities of these organisations include the restoration of reservoirs, installation of secondary water networks for rainwater harvesting, upgrade of kitchen appliance, and the installation of LED lights and dimming controls.
The Minister for Inclusion, Voluntary Organisations and Consumer Rights, Julia Farrugia Portelli praised the effective joint effort between the Energy and Water Agency and the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector, with the collaboration of the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations, through which there is better understanding of the needs of voluntary organisations and therefore for the scheme to be more effectively targeted.
“We believe that voluntary organisations are a main stakeholder in our country’s progress to more sustainability,” said Minister Farrugia Portelli.
Present for the event attended EWA’s CEO Manuel Sapiano, Malta’s Council for Voluntary Sector CEO Mauro Pace Parascandalo and Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations Jesmond Saliba.
