Graffitti, SDM excluded from Good Causes Fund
Karl Schembri
The Good Causes Fund, which was at the centre of controversy earlier this year for distributing thousands of euros to commercial publishing houses and thriving entertainment companies, has excluded Moviment Graffitti and Studenti Demokristjani Maltin because of their “political” commitments.
The leftist movement had applied for €4,966.22 to be able to buy a sound reinforcement system for social and cultural events, including anti-racism activities, film nights, seminars and concerts.
But a letter sent by the Finance Ministry to Moviment Graffitti says that their application for funding had been turned down on the grounds of “the Movement’s public profile on political issues”.
According to Alexander Grima, who is an administrator on the board of the National Lotteries Good Causes Fund, finance minister Tonio Fenech had instructed the board “not to consider applications from organisations that participate in political or other events that may be presented as such”, irrespective of the projects involved.
“The Board feels that is not discriminating against Movement Graffitti politically, but is excluding all political parties and affiliated groups from benefitting from the Fund,” he said.
The reply contradicts what minister Tonio Fenech told Parliament last month in answer to a parliamentary question stating that funds are distributed according to the projects proposed.
In fact, organisations that are of a political nature are not even specifically precluded from benefiting from the funds according to the parameters for selection.
Graffitti chairperson Mary Grace Vella said the decision was very unfair and discriminatory towards her organisation as the funds would have been put to good use.
“Everything is political at the end of the day, but we are not affiliated to any of the parties and our public events are mainly social and cultural,” Vella said.
“In fact, our events fit in the government’s and the EU’s action plan, from which we get separate funding for our work against racism and for intercultural dialogue.
“We did everything possible to ensure that our application fulfilled the eligibility criteria and requirements made by the application as well taken care to submit proposals of activities which are considered by Government and the EU as being main policy priority areas.”
The movement has organised monthly film nights, music concerts, events against animal cruelty, seminars on climate change and educational events at the Marsa Open Centre promoting intercultural dialogue and integration of asylum seekers.
The board administrator however justified further the decision by adding that even Studenti Demokristjani Maltin (SDM) had been refused funding.
“Lately, the Committee has refused a considerable number of applications including those that participate in political activities, as a case in point, it has also refused to grant funds to the Studenti Demokristjani Maltin.”
SDM President Anton D’Amato confirmed that they had applied for funding but could not recall for what kind of project given that the application had been filed under a previous executive.
The Good Causes Fund board operates in accordance with the Lotteries and Other Games Act, which states that earnings from national lotteries are transferred to the National Lottery Good Causes Fund and paid out by the minister to persons, organisations, bodies or other entities pursuing objectives of religious, philanthropic, cultural, sports, educational, social or civic nature or “in support of other deserving causes”, and in such amounts, manner and at such times as determined by the minister after consultation with an advisory board appointed by him.
Beneficiary Project Amount in €
1. Band clubs Agreement on commissions 426,116
2. Malta Music Festival Football match and concert 137,433
3. Heritage Malta Caravaggio Exhibition 93,174
4. Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna Restoration Fort Rinella 69,881
5. Melita Football Nursery Synthetic turf pitch 58,234
6. Pembroke Sports Club Club house refurbishment 58,234
7. Malta Arts Council Cultural Activities 57,500
8. Gozo FA Stadium lighting 46,587
9. San Gwann Football Nursery Synthetic turf pitch 46,587
10. Paola Hibs Nursery Synthetic turf pitch 46,587
11. Angela House Multi sensory room 46,587
12. Malta Olympic Committee Small states games 46,587
13. Sannat Lions Synthetic turf pitch 46,587
14. Malta Arts Council Summer Arts Festival 46,587
15. Gozo Cultural Council Attractive Incentive Scheme 46,587
16. Caritas Malta Philanthropic contribution 46,587
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