Our Story

Genista Foundation had been set up in 2002 and has a pool of 12 youth workers and also a number of teachers who give their time in youth work, organizing training, workshops, lectures, hands-on activities etc. GRF works with children, youths and adults, focusing on empowering, education and giving opportunities to people with educational, social, minorities and refugees through its dedicated team of youth workers all qualified with university degrees.

GRF started with the aim of coordinating a pioneering project on sustainable farming and Biodiversity to demonstrate practical systems in various sectors of farming and other sustainable practices where one is expected to take greater care of our environment and the health of the consumer. The project has also served as an opportunity for further initiatives and practical research in the field of sustainable farming and other related ecological issues by providing technical assistance, courses, educational material and other informational activities. The Foundation is managed by a board of directors and has a number of volunteers and hires experts on specific subjects according to the projects being worked on.

The Genista nature reserve hosts interns and EVS volunteers.

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GRF has 6 branches:

 

Training department: Genista foundation is a Registered centre of Informal Education with the Malta Qualifications council providing training on organic farming, media, communication, EU affairs and intercultural dialogue working both in Malta and in various other EU and Non EU countries, coordinating and providing training in Palestine, Poland, Turkey, Slovakia, Tunisia, Italy, Norway, France,  etc.

Genista also provides training in Economic affairs, management, internationalization, start-ups, company development and international network development.

 

Intercultural, Migration and Social Work: GRF over the past years has branched and started working with minority groups namely refugees, social and economic areas and those with fewer abilities due to health issues. We participated as partners in a number of projects and have coordinated 15 projects.

 

Media and Communication: GRF has branched into media and intercultural dialogue where we have successfully managed and organised a number of projects based on EU information and awarness, intercultural issues, social issues and refugees. issues and refugees with 8 approved projects.

 

Consultancy and project management:  GRF provides consultancy services on funding apportunities, assisting clients on creation of projects, project application and management. We have successfully managed a number of projects in various areas namely:Tourisim projects for various hotels, tour operators, multipurpose conference facilities, rural tourism planning, historical tourisim projects and english language tourism for local councils, NGO’s and SME’s.

GRF prides itself that it is one of the leading project management organisations on the island and beyond, handling projects which are diverse from Communication, Media, Film production, management, research, development of public spaces, hotel improvements, sustainability projects, training and evaluation and producing ideas for new ventures and business opportunities both in Malta and abroad with 27 European regional development funds approved projects

 

Rinella nature reserve: GRF manages and runs the nature reserve and organic farm in Rinella valley an area of scientific importance were it does experimentation on various vegetables and their adaptability to our climate and grows and plants a variety of local and Meditterean trees.

 

Europe Direct: For 4 years we managed the Europe Direct office following the award of a contract by the European commission to provide information to the Maltese public concerning EU issues. Organizes activities related to the European Commission and is the direct point of contact between the community of Malta and the European commission, offering advice, information etc both to the Maltese public, SME’s, NGO’s and also to European citizens who require information about Malta. The Genista EDO formed part of the 560 offices of the European commission around the 27 member states and offered a direct link and opportunities between all the offices to communicate and find suitable partners for any type of project being applied for.