[New] PROJECT GREEN: investing in gardens and open spaces in Malta

Minister for the Environment, Energy and Enterprise Miriam Dalli (right) has officially launched the Project Green agency, entrusted with delivering the €700 million electoral pledge, spread over seven years, for everyone to enjoy green recreational spaces a short walk from home Steve Ellul will head it in his capacity as CEO

Minister Dalli stressed that community engagement is at the new agency's heart as it collaborates closely with all stakeholders, especially residents and local councils. She pointed out that the projects will be planned by the people and delivered to the people

Varying from the more prominent green open spaces to spaces within the community to afforestation and support organisations, Project Green will focus on collaboration, delivering quality projects and ensuring their sustainability. The agency will collaborate with other entities to maximise resources and ensure continuity.

She said that Project Green is tasked with translating this unprecedented environmen- tal investment into quality green spaces "We want to deliver green spaces that are self-sufficient, sustainable and accessible," she said, adding that these spaces must meet the people's aspirations.

Mr Steve Ellul said that Project Green would be working exclusively on aspirations for a better quality of life and that during the next 12 months, it would also be planting some 7,500 trees and shrubs, funded through voluntary initiatives by the private sector that would cover an area greater than nine football pitches.

Public Transport in Malta

The Malta Public Transport fleet that operates the public transport service is to increase its fleet by 25 electric buses, for an the overall total of 450 buses The investment is the result of the free public transport measure that has increased the number of commuters For the first time in the last three years, last year the company carried almost 50 million passengers to exceed the number it carried in December 2019