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5 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 13 NOVEMBER 2026 NEWS Young people pitch business ideas to address Gozo's main challenges Young people have presented business ideas aimed at addressing some of Gozo's main challenges and making better use of opportunities on the island YOUNG people have presented business ideas aimed at address- ing some of Gozo's main chal- lenges and making better use of opportunities on the island. The presentations were held as part of Youth4Entrepreneurship Gozo 2026, with finalists pitching their projects to a panel of ex- perts at an event in Gozo. The jury assessed the projects on their feasibility, financial via- bility, innovation and sustainabil- ity, as well as how effectively they addressed specific needs on the island. This year's competition focused on the theme Digital Solutions for a Smarter Island. Participants were encouraged to come up with digital projects that could improve services and quality of life in Gozo. One of the main areas addressed was connectivity between Mal- ta and Gozo, with participants asked to consider how technol- ogy could improve transport, ac- cess to information, services and infrastructure. Other projects focused on the needs of Gozo's ageing popu- lation and ways of encouraging young people to have a greater say in their communities. Youth Minister Omar Farrugia attended the event and praised the ideas presented by the young participants, including proposals making use of digital technology and artificial intelligence. He also highlighted the cooper- ation between Aġenzija Żgħażagħ and the Gozo Business Chamber in organising the competition. Farrugia said the government remained committed to support- ing young people and creating more opportunities for them in Malta and Gozo. The competition was organ- ised with the support of several other organisations, including the Gozo Regional Development Authority, Bank of Valletta, JA Malta Foundation, Malta Enter- prise, Jobsplus, Europe Direct Gozo and the Ministry for the Economy, Enterprise and Strate- gic Projects. The presentations were held as part of Youth4Entrepreneurship Gozo 2026, with finalists pitching their projects to a panel of experts at an event in Gozo (Photo: MYWI) Disinformation and gender setereotypes at the heart of new documentary by LGBTIQ+ Gozo A documentary exploring the im- pact of disinformation, prejudice and gender-related stereotypes has been launched as an educa- tional resource for use in schools, among young people and within civil society organisations. Its aim is to further raise awareness about equality, respect and the preven- tion of violence. The documentary, Inventing the Enemy: Gender, Fear, and Disinformation, was developed by LGBTIQ+ Gozo with the sup- port of the Commission on Gen- der-Based Violence and Domestic Violence through its Together We Empower funding programme. It highlights how fear-based narra- tives and disinformation can rein- force stigma, discrimination and inequality in society. During the screening of the doc- umentary, the Minister for Equal- ity and Civil Rights, Rosianne Cutajar, stressed that the fight against gender-based violence must begin at its roots by chal- lenging the stereotypes and preju- dices that influence attitudes and behaviour in society. "Our work cannot stop at fight- ing violence only after it has al- ready occurred. We must also focus on prevention by addressing the prejudices and stereotypes that can lead to discrimination and violence. Respect, dignity and equality must form the founda- tion of a society in which everyone feels safe and accepted," the Min- ister emphasised. The Minister thanked LGBTIQ+ Gozo for its work on this project, as well as the participants who shared their personal experiences. She also highlighted the impor- tance of civil society remaining a key partner in efforts to promote equality and prevent violence. Meanwhile, the Commissioner on Gender-Based Violence and Domestic Violence, Samantha Pace Gasan, emphasised that pre- venting violence requires ongoing efforts to challenge narratives and attitudes that perpetuate inequali- ty. The Commissioner noted that, through collaboration with civil society, the Commission can ex- pand its work and reach different communities. The project is one of several initi- atives supported through Togeth- er We Empower, a programme that provides assistance to civil society organisations in carrying out awareness-raising, education- al and gender-based violence pre- vention projects. Commissioner on Gender-Based Violence and Domestic Violence, Samantha Pace Gasan, emphasised that preventing violence requires ongoing efforts to challenge narratives and attitudes that perpetuate inequali