The €10 million Community Greening Grant launched by Project Green is attracting the interest of several stakeholders, many of whom attended an information session organised today.
Launched two weeks ago, the scheme seeks to encourage and assist communities in planning and implementing their own greening projects. The information session served as guidance on case studies and best practices as interested applicants prepared their proposals. Guidelines were simplified further, and the application process was explained to ensure that all stakeholders could easily follow all applicable conditions when submitting their proposals.
Over 60 local councils and voluntary organisations were in attendance.
Addressing the session, Environment Minister Miriam Dalli said, “We encourage stakeholders to come forward with innovative projects. Likewise, Project Green is providing the necessary tools to help you make your ideas happen, creating more sustainable localities for the people in your community.”
The minister emphasised the importance of sustainability in the design, planning, and implementation of proposed projects, accompanied by a long-term management plan to ensure that projects delivered are cared for.
Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government Alison Zerafa Civelli remarked how local and regional councils are best placed to highlight the environmental needs of their respective localities and how the quality of life of their residents could be improved.
The parliamentary secretary urged both local and regional councils to take part in the scheme, pointing out that through these projects and other green initiatives in localities, local councils would be complementing the Government’s investment towards a greener environment and a better quality of life.
Project Green CEO Steve Ellul stressed that the agency’s objective is to assist all stakeholders contributing to greening localities and encourage them to continue working for a better environment in their communities.
“The projects must be designed for residents, adapting to their needs. This opportunity will encourage local councils and NGOs to help us achieve that,” he said, explaining that the agency was implementing a bottom-up approach. “We want to empower stakeholders by providing the necessary financing and support to create new green public spaces in their localities while reinvigorating existing ones.”
During the information session, stakeholders were also encouraged to identify spaces that are currently underutilised, so that they can give them a new lease of life and turn them into green public open spaces for everyone to enjoy.
More information about the grant, including the guidelines and application form, can be found at www.project.green. The deadline for submissions is Tuesday 28th February 2023, 12:00 (noon) CET.
Photos (MEEE/MHAL_PS)
