Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1544188
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 • 2 APRIL 2026 NEWS CONTINUES FROM PAGE 1 Barriers to green transition and development The report highlighted that geographic isolation makes the transition to a climate-neutral economy more difficult for is- lands. Barriers include limited access to resources, constraints on labour markets and chal- lenges in areas such as educa- tion, healthcare and waste man- agement. At the same time, the Cham- ber said that island regions are on the front line of climate change impacts, including rising sea levels and extreme weather events. It says this po- sition could allow islands to act as test sites for renewable ener- gy and environmental innova- tion if supported by targeted EU policies. Gaps in existing EU policy While acknowledging that EU legislation already recognises the needs of disadvantaged regions, the Chamber said that current policy frameworks are not suf- ficiently adapted to island reali- ties. It states that existing funding instruments, including cohesion policy, are often implemented in isolation, reducing their effec- tiveness. The report called for a more coordinated approach that aligns different EU programmes with the specific needs of island territories. The submission also pointed to a lack of reliable statistical data on islands, which it says limits the ability of policymakers to de- sign targeted interventions. Proposed measures and stakeholder expectations Furthermore, the Chamber outlined a series of measures it believes should form part of the EU Islands Strategy. These include the introduction of an "island-proofing" mechanism to assess how EU legislation affects island regions, and more flexible state aid rules to address struc- tural cost disadvantages. It also called for stronger fi- nancial and advisory support for small and medium-sized enter- prises, improved access to infor- mation on EU funding oppor- tunities, and targeted training initiatives. Other proposals include assess- ing the impact of climate change on islands, reviewing the distri- bution of state aid, and develop- ing an "Islands Pact" involving national, regional and local au- thorities as well as economic and social partners. Youth migration and economic opportunity Youth outmigration is identi- fied as a key issue in Gozo. The report stated that population growth in recent years has large- ly been driven by non-locals working in key sectors, rather than by natural increase. According to the Chamber, many young people leave the island due to limited opportuni- ties in high value-added indus- tries. It argued that the concept of a "right to stay" should be un- derstood as access to viable ca- reer paths within island regions. While initiatives aimed at pro- moting entrepreneurship exist, the report said the absence of a fully developed business ecosys- tem limits their long-term im- pact. Call for coordinated EU action The Chamber said that the challenges facing island regions are well documented but require a more coherent and integrat- ed policy response at EU level. It says the proposed strategy should focus on improving con- nectivity, addressing the cost of insularity and supporting inno- vation and economic diversifi- cation. The submission added that with the right framework in place, island regions such as Gozo have the potential to achieve sustainable growth and greater resilience within the Eu- ropean Union. Chamber says that current policy frameworks are not sufficiently adapted to island realities AUTHORITIES have found 71 people living in Malta and Gozo without valid documents during coordinated inspections carried out in recent days. The oper- ations were conducted by the police, assisted by the Detention Services Agency, in Marsalforn, Xlendi, and Rabat in Gozo, and in Marsa on the main island. Those identified have been taken to a detention centre while their return procedures are being processed. Officials said the inspections are part of ongoing efforts to ensure that all residents in the country have the necessary permits and valid documents. The authorities have con- firmed that similar operations will continue in the coming days. 71 arrested in immigrations inspections across Gozo and Malta Authorities have found 71 people living in Malta and Gozo without valid documents during coordinated inspections carried out in recent days (Photo: Malta Police Force) The report highlighted that geographic isolation makes the transition to a climate-neutral economy more difficult for islands