The €10 million Community Greening Grant scheme launched by Project Green is generating strong interest from a variety of stakeholders, many of whom took part in an information session held earlier today.

Launched two weeks ago, the scheme encourages—and will help—communities to plan and implement environmental projects in their localities. The session provided guidance through case studies and recommended practices as prospective applicants prepare their proposals. Both the guidelines and the application have been simplified to ensure every stakeholder can meet the conditions when submitting a project.

More than 60 local councils and voluntary organisations attended the session.

In her address, Minister for the Environment Miriam Dalli said, “We are encouraging stakeholders to come forward with innovative projects. At the same time, Project Green will provide the necessary tools to help you implement your projects, thereby creating sustainable localities for residents in our communities.”

The minister emphasised the importance of sustainability in the design, planning and execution of the proposed projects, which must also include a long-term management plan to ensure that completed initiatives continue to be safeguarded.

Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government Alison Zerafa Civelli remarked that local and regional councils are best placed to identify the environmental needs of their respective areas and ways to improve residents’ quality of life.

She encouraged these councils to participate in the scheme, stressing that environmental projects and initiatives in localities will complement the government’s investment in a sustainable environment and a better quality of life.

Project Green Chief Executive Officer Steve Ellul underlined that the agency’s goal is to assist all stakeholders in contributing to greener localities and to urge them to work harder for a better environment in their communities.

“The projects must be designed to meet residents’ needs. Through this opportunity we will achieve these goals together with local councils and voluntary organisations,” Mr Ellul said, explaining that the agency is pursuing an inclusive process. “We will assist stakeholders by providing the necessary funding and support to create new public spaces in their areas while rehabilitating existing ones.”

During the session, stakeholders were encouraged to identify under-used spaces so these can be revitalised and transformed into open public areas for everyone to enjoy.

Further information about the scheme—including the guidelines and application form—is available at www.projectgreen.mt . Submissions close on Tuesday, 28 February 2023 at noon.