Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1533747
5 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 28 MARCH 2025 NEWS Green Schools Initiative: An opportunity for schools to implement environmental projects PROJECT Green has an- nounced the launch of Green Schools Initiative (GSI) scheme. This scheme is aimed at en- couraging Government and Church schools to enhance green spaces, based on four objectives: to increase ecologi- cal knowledge, environmental awareness, wellbeing, as well as the enhancement of the envi- ronmental aesthetics. The main aim of this strat- egy is to encourage learning outside of the classrooms and within open spaces, as well as gardening activities within edu- cational institutions. Therefore, this scheme will be offering op- portunities to schools to create open spaces which improve stu- dents' wellbeing and encourage community engagement. Project Green will be financing projects related to gardening and afforestation. At the same time, the agency will be offer- ing technical support to devel- op and maintain green spaces through training, assistance on garden design and advice on what species are ideal to plant according to the area. To ensure that these projects are being implemented and the objectives are met, Project Green will carry out continuous monitoring on the works that are being carried out. Schools which show significant progress will be recognised for their work. Project Green CEO, Joseph Cuschieri, said the mission within this strategy is to recog- nise, from an early age, students who appreciate their environ- ment and taking care of their environment. "Through this initiative, stu- dents not only learn about the environment but also enhance their skills such as sensory skills," he said. Through this financing, stu- dents can enhance new skills that they do not necessarily learn at school. Project Green is already en- gaging students through place- making events, where they share their opinions on various projects. With this new fund- ing, students now have the op- portunity to apply and practice their knowledge. Project Green Head of Oper- ations, Architect Beverley Cos- ta, said this financing will bring tangible actions and have posi- tive impact on people's lives. "In the past, Project Green collaborated with two schools, De La Salle College in Birgu and San Gorg Preca College in Ħamrun on similar project, where new open spaces will be created within school premises, whereby once these projects are implemented these will be en- joyed by the students and the general public," she said. "Therefore, we look forward to see more schools benefitting from this scheme and further enjoy the environment." Schools can apply for this scheme up to Tuesday 13 May. For further information on the Green Schools Initiative visit www.projectgreen.mt/gsi/.