Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1543996
GozoToday is a weekly newspaper focused primarily on Gozo. It hopes to serve as a source of information on business, culture, entertainment and of course current affairs. Gozo has a special charm about it but it is also a bustling Island with an identity of its own. GozoToday is published every Friday and is available to numerous outlets in Gozo and on the ferries that carry so many visitors to Gozo from Malta and beyond. GozoToday MediaToday Co. Ltd, Vjal ir-Rihan San Gwann SGN 9016 ASSISTANT EDITOR: LAURA CALLEJA Tel: (356) 21 382741-3, 21 382745-6 Website: www.maltatoday.com.mt E-mail: lcalleja@mediatoday.com.mt 3 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 20 MARCH 2026 NEWS Malta Ranger Unit starts petition calling for dedicated environmental police unit in Gozo THE Malta Ranger Unit has launched a petition calling for the establishment of a dedicat- ed Environmental Protection Unit (EPU) within the police force in Gozo, citing concerns over insufficient enforcement in ecologically sensitive areas. The NGO said the western coast of Gozo and Comino in- cludes several protected Natura 2000 sites that require continu- ous monitoring to safeguard bi- odiversity and prevent environ- mental damage. It warned that weak enforcement could lead to increased abuse of these are- as, with long-term consequenc- es for the environment. Describing Gozo's natural environment as a key national asset, the organisation argued that stronger on-the-ground enforcement is needed to pre- serve these sites for future gen- erations. The petition urges authori- ties to introduce a specialised police unit focused on envi- ronmental protection in Gozo, aimed at improving oversight and addressing illegal activities in vulnerable areas. The Malta Ranger Unit is en- couraging the public to support the initiative by signing the pe- tition, which has been submit- ted to Parliament for consider- ation. The peition can be found on the Malta Ranger Unit's Face- book page. MORE than 50 band clubs across Malta and Gozo will ben- efit from government funds to provide free musical training to young people under 30, follow- ing the announcement of this year's beneficiaries of the 'Mu- sical Training for Youth in Band Clubs' scheme. The Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Research, and Inno- vation, Keith Azzopardi Tanti, the Chief Executive of Aġenzija Żgħażagħ, Miriam Teuma, and the President of the Nation- al Band Clubs Association, Dr Noel Camilleri, unveiled the funding during a ceremony to- day. The scheme has expanded from 33 participating band clubs in previous years to 57 this year, with a total invest- ment exceeding €130,000. Each club can receive up to €3,000 to offer free music tuition, ensur- ing that financial limitations do not prevent young talent from accessing training. Parliamentary Secretary Azzo- pardi Tanti described the initia- tive as "the practical application of our promises in the National Youth Policy 2021-2030," em- phasizing that band clubs serve as more than music schools, providing spaces for discipline, self-confidence, and person- al development. He noted the rising demand for structured and modern musical education among youth. Chief Executive Teuma high- lighted the partnership be- tween Aġenzija Żgħażagħ and the Band Clubs Association, describing it as "essential to the initiative's success" and key to providing modern teaching techniques that support young musicians' growth. The ceremony also marked the signing of a new three-year Memorandum of Understand- ing (MOU) between Aġenzija Żgħażagħ and the Band Clubs Association. The agreement includes an additional annu- al grant of €20,000 to further develop the Youth Symphonic Band, offering a national plat- form for young musicians. Through these measures, the government and Aġenzi- ja Żgħażagħ aim to strengthen Malta and Gozo's musical tradi- tion and ensure that young tal- ent continues to thrive. Over 50 band clubs receive funding for youth music training More than 50 band clubs across Malta and Gozo will benefit from government funds to provide free musical training to young people under 30, following the announcement of this year's beneficiaries of the 'Musical Training for Youth in Band Clubs' scheme