The Environment Ministry announced its plans to set up Project Green, a new agency to implement the Government’s seven-year plan to give families in Malta and Gozo more public gardens, parks and other open spaces.

Miriam Dalli, the Minister for the Environment, Energy and Enterprise announced these plans in Parliament, during the debate on the ministry’s budget estimates for 2023. The inclusion of Project Green in the 2023 Budget signals the Ministry’s intention to launch this agency next year.

The new agency will be entrusted with the seven-year plan to invest €700 million in the creation, maintenance and invigoration of public gardens and other open spaces in Malta and Gozo, for everyone to enjoy green recreational spaces a short walk from home, wherever they live.

Project Green will be collaborating with other government entities, local councils, NGOs and other organisations that are already working for a greener Malta, and bring them together to attain this important objective.

Minister Dalli explained that this new agency will make sure that community engagement becomes an integral part of the planning and implementation of all green projects included in this plan, most of which have already been announced. Project Green will engage residents, workers and businesses in the communities where projects are taking place, to share their ideas and aspirations for these projects.

Through Project Green, the Ministry also wants to start looking at green open spaces differently. Such areas literally need to be greener, with less boundary walls and hard paving and many more trees and plants, the Minister said.