Voluntary Organisations Project Scheme 2023
The Voluntary Organisations Project Scheme (VOPS), which is managed and administered by the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector (MCVS), is now in its eighth year. This fund, like the other funds provided by MCVS has the main objective of stimulating and financially supporting voluntary organizations to continue to come up with innovative and sustainable initiatives for the benefit of the communities they work in.
The VOPS Call for 2023 shall have a total allocation of €800,000. This call shall have a new Action, Action 4 which shall specifically address Events & Activities. This Fund, since its conception in 2016, has already provided Voluntary Organistions with more than €4,500,000 translating in projects within the community.
The guidelines for the VOPS 2023 are published on the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector website www.maltacvs.org and the VO Funding Portal www.vofunding.org.mt. The Voluntary Organisations Project Scheme (VOPS) is designed to assist Voluntary Organisations, enrolled and compliant with the Commissioner for VOs.
VOPS 2023 shall have four specific Actions:
Action 1
Project Based Initiatives: The projects should have the main priority to have an identified date of commencement and date of termination, with the focus to mostly invest the allocated funds that supports the Voluntary Organisation, and this same organisation must also demonstrate that through this project a sustainable and innovative programme will be created to address the needs of both the volunteers and the organisation. The projects shall not be a one-off event but a project based initiative that the organisation may sustain on its own initiative for at least two more years.
Budget €500,000.00.
Project Allocation: Not be less than €5,000 and not more than €20,000. With a 20% co-financing.
Action 2
Infrastructural Projects: The projects should have infrastructural priorities with a clear date of commencements and date of termination, whereby the infrastructural needs of the voluntary organisations are addressed through a complete and safe project. It is important that the Voluntary Organisations demonstrate that the premises are their property or have a leasing agreement of at least ten (10) calendar years.
Budget €200,000.00.
Project Allocation: Not be less than €5,000 and not more than €20,000. With a 20% co-financing.
Action 3
Research Projects: The project should have research priorities intended to encourage projects addressing research to compliment other priorities addressed in this call. Research can be carried out regarding all aspects of the organisation such as capacity building, services, training, and volunteering. The sector is constantly seeking to identify innovative approaches through an evidence-based approach which will induce the organisations to become more effective and relevant towards societal needs.
Budget €40,000.00.
Project Allocation: Not be less than €4,000 and not more than €10,000. With a 20% co-financing.
Action 4
Events & Activities: The proposal should have a main event or activity with a clearly identified date of commencement and date of termination with the main focus to invest allocated funds in initiatives which celebrate the work of voluntary organisations and volunteers helping in voluntary organisations. The request shall be practical and backed up by costings and objectives. The proposal may be a one off-event or a series of events/activities arising from exceptional circumstances and are not considered annual events.
Budget €60,000.00.
Project Allocation: Not be less than €3,000 and not more than €5,000. With a 20% co-financing.
Information Sessions:
Friday 9th September – 9am at MCVS Valletta (English session)
Tuesday 13th September – 6pm at MCVS Valletta (Maltese session)
Saturday 17th September – 9am Volunteer Centre Xewkija, Gozo (English and Maltese session)
For more information on VOPS 2023 contact the following Fund Officers:
• Action 1, Action 2 and Action 3 contact Ms Alexis Milne on 22481121 or email
alexis.milne@gov.mt
• Action 4 contact Ms Martina Livori on 22481118 or email martina.livori@gov.mt