The second edition of the initiative ‘Football for the Goals’ reaches its final stage

After a series of football tournaments that brought together students from different schools — with each school receiving a special football linked to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — the initiative has now entered its concluding phase. This initiative, a collaboration between the Ministry for the Environment and Energy, the Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation, and the Foundation Inħobb il-Futbol, continues to build on the popularity of football to help more children understand and take action in support of the country’s sustainable development goals. Minister Miriam Dalli stated that the initiative encourages schools to integrate sustainable development principles into their daily lives. She highlighted how football can be a powerful tool to open new horizons and to make all generations more aware and responsible, while strengthening awareness of sustainability within communities. She added that she was pleased to see students presenting the projects and initiatives they worked on, noting their creativity and strong sense of interest and responsibility, which shows the positive impact of such initiatives. Minister Clifton Grima stated that this initiative demonstrates how education can be a living experience that connects learning with the values and skills students need for the future. He emphasised that through such initiatives, students not only learn about sustainable development, but are also encouraged to take an active role within their communities. “This programme provides students with the space to express their creativity, work as a team, and better understand their responsibility towards society and the environment. It is through initiatives like these that we continue to build an education system that prepares responsible and engaged citizens,” said Minister Grima. This year, 17 classes from different schools took part in the initiative, with each class assigned one of the SDGs. The program will culminate in a full-day final football tournament -- an activity that celebrates sport alongside the values of sustainability and collaboration at the heart of the initiative. Photo: MEEC/MEYR