Minister for the Environment Miriam Dalli has officially launched Project Green, the agency entrusted with delivering the Government’s €700 million electoral pledge, spread over seven years, for everyone to enjoy green recreational spaces a short walk from home.

The agency will be headed by Steve Ellul, in his capacity as CEO.

Addressing a press conference at the Mdina Ditch, Environment Minister Miriam Dalli stressed that community engagement is at the heart of the new agency, as it is collaborating closely with all stakeholders, especially residents and local councils. The projects, she emphasised, will be planned by the people and delivered for the people.

Varying from the larger green open spaces to spaces within the community to afforestation, and also to support organisations, Project Green will focus on collaboration, delivering quality projects and ensuring their sustainability. It will work in collaboration with other entities to maximise resources and ensure continuity.

“Project Green has been tasked with translating this unprecedented environmental investment into quality green spaces. As we had the opportunity to show in recent months, we want to deliver green spaces that are self-sufficient, sustainable and accessible,” Minister Miriam Dalli said.

“We will emphasise quality, not only when it comes to the materials and methods we use, but quality in planning, and quality in the functionality of the gardens, parks and other open spaces that we will create, so that they really make a positive difference in people’s lives.”

These spaces, the Minister added, must meet the public’s aspirations.

"7,500 trees and shrubs in 12 months" - Steve Ellul, Project Green CEO

Project Green CEO Steve Ellul said that Project Green would be working exclusively on people’s aspirations for a better quality of life. “We will place particular emphasis on village cores and develop green lungs for urbanised zones,” Ellul said.

He explained that the agency will work on making existing green spaces more accessible, while creating many new ones, for cleaner air quality, lower noise pollution and greener landscapes in all localities.

“During the next 12 months, Project Green will also be planting some 7,500 trees and shrubs, which will be funded through voluntary initiatives by the private sector. Together, they will cover an area greater than nine football pitches.”