A generous €10 million grant has been launched by the governmental agency, Project Green, to finance the creation of new breathable, open spaces in Malta’s towns and villages.

Malta’s small size and intense density can sometimes feel suffocating, but the Community Greening Grant aims to give power to the island’s communities to develop public areas where people can gather, walk, or, simply, sit and enjoy the sunshine.

Organisations and community representatives, such as local councils, NGOs, and schools, can all help drive this change, and initiate greening projects by tapping into the grant which was recently announced by the Minister for the Environment, Energy and Enterprise Miriam Dalli, Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds Chris Bonett and Project Green CEO Steve Ellul.

The scheme provides funding for environmental projects, such as the regeneration of sites which have fallen into disrepair, and the production of new, green areas. It also offers such financing for water management solutions, including those aimed at harvesting rainwater for irrigation and cleaning, as well as mitigating any risks associated with flooding.  

Minister Dalli called this “one of the biggest environmental schemes for environmental projects in the community ever launched in our country”, explaining that the associated €10 million direct investment pumped into Malta and Gozo’s communities was meant to help implement green projects the country has “always aspired for.” The scheme, she added, “aims to encourage quality and innovation. We want the people to reap the greatest rate of return possible on this investment.”

The grant, which will be backed up by EU funds, provides 90 per cent of the financing for each project. To this end, Parliamentary Secretary Chris Bonett saying that the government is committed to channelling European support to Project Green. “The environment is our priority, and we are determined to utilise the new EU funds programme to invest in projects that improve our environment and create more green spaces for our families,” he said.

Those who apply to the scheme will benefit from technical support given by the advisors at Project Green, as well as assistance in tapping into further European funds. Project Green CEO Steve Ellul explained how the agency will offer such help both before and during project implementation. “We are aware that when it comes to such grant applications, applicants face complications and bureaucracy. Therefore, we prepared clear and simple guidelines and conditions. We will truly be investing people's money for the people,” said Mr Ellul.

And, this initiative is looking long-term. Indeed, those who apply will need to submit a 10-year maintenance plan, with beneficiaries responsible for not only implementing the project, but also overseeing its sustainability and longevity. 

For more information on the grant, and how to apply, please click here.