Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1545608
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 28 JUNE 2026 Public Service Awards 2026 Public officers who distinguished themselves through their work and service were recognised during an awards ceremony held at Verdala Palace under the patronage of the President of Malta, Her Excellency Myriam Spiteri Debono. In her address, the President recognised the contribution of Public Service officers and the continuous work being carried out to strengthen, renew and adapt the Public Service to the realities of today. She highlighted the importance of technical competence, impartiality, loyalty to the Constitution and respect for democratic principles in the work of public officers. The President also referred to the principles of ethics, transparency and accountability, which must remain at the heart of the Public Service as it continues to fulfil its mission and serve citizens with dignity and respect. The Head of the Public Service, Tony Sultana, said that the Awards ceremony is an occasion to show appreciation to public officers who go beyond what is expected from them. He noted that a career in the Public Service brings with it sacrifices, but also meaningful results, as the ultimate aim is to improve people's lives. Mr Sultana said that while the work of the Public Service is recognised, criticism is not always constructive. He stressed that the best response to such criticism is not through words, but through more work, stronger results and continued success. "More and more, the Maltese people are recognising that the public administration is enriched with people of quality, with the ultimate aim always being to make a positive difference in people's lives," he said. During the evening, the Quality Award was awarded to the Healthcare Funding Department, better known as the Entitlement Unit, within the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Ministry for Health. The department achieved the best results in terms of quality of service. The Office of the Public Service Commission, the Examinations Department, the Community Policing team within the Malta Police Force, the European Union Programmes Agency and Residency Malta Agency were awarded the Quality Label. The Best Practice in Good Governance Award was awarded to Transport Malta, following a positive analysis by the Auditor General on the Public Service Obligation for inter-island transportation and the iScrappage Scheme for the purchase of motorcycles. The Best Digital Solution Award was awarded to the team responsible for the roll-out of Microsoft Copilot on public officers' devices. The initiative involved an investment of around €4 million, with more than 5,000 licences distributed across the public administration. The Climate Impact Award was awarded to the Shore-to-Ship Project, a joint initiative between Transport Malta and Infrastructure Malta. Through this project, cruise liners berthed in the Grand Harbour can connect to the electricity grid and switch off their engines, reducing emissions and air pollution by around 90%. The Inclusion Award was awarded to the Public Cleansing and Maintenance Division for its BCRS bottle collection service from the homes of elderly persons and persons with disability, using specialised vans and dedicated staff. The Role Model Award was awarded to Angele Cushieri and Rennie Zerafa for their dedication to Puttinu Cares. For around 22 years, they have supported patients and families who need to travel abroad for specialised treatment, reflecting the values of compassion, dedication and public service. The Inspiring Social Responsibility Award was awarded to the Foundation for Social Welfare Services and Aġenzija Appoġġ for the STOP the Violence programme, which works to break the cycle of violence and abuse through joint action, specialised training and outreach. The Project of the Year Award was awarded to the Ministry for Gozo for the Gozo swimming pool project, a modern sports complex spread over more than 5,000 square metres and designed with sustainability and accessibility in mind. The Team Recognition Award was awarded to the team behind the Malta School Games, a national programme that promotes not only competition, but also inclusion, respect and teamwork among students. During the ceremony, the Outstanding Effort Award was also presented by Mr Sultana to the Enemalta distribution team for their daily work in maintaining the nationwide electricity network, including urgent interventions in challenging conditions. The President also gave special recognition to representatives of Government entities and departments who showed dedication, commitment and professionalism during and after Storm Harry last January. Public Service recognises officers who distinguished themselves in their work