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1. Green volunteering

2. Green production and consumption

Green volunteering

Green volunteering initiatives in Malta are supported through national environmental policies and programmes implemented by public authorities that promote environmental stewardship and encourage citizens, including young people, to actively participate in protecting the natural environment.

Community participation in environmental sustainability is supported through Project Green, a national initiative coordinated by the Ministry for the Environment, Energy and Public Cleanliness. The initiative focuses on regenerating public spaces and increasing accessible green areas throughout Malta. Through public consultations, community outreach activities and awareness initiatives related to the planning and development of green spaces, young people are often encouraged to participate in discussions on urban sustainability and environmental protection. Such engagement enables young residents to contribute ideas related to the use of green infrastructure while developing awareness of environmental planning and sustainability challenges. 

Environmental awareness and conservation activities also take place in protected areas regulated by the Environment and Resources Authority, the national authority responsible for environmental regulation and biodiversity protection. Activities such as environmental awareness campaigns, biodiversity monitoring initiatives and community clean-ups organised in collaboration with schools and local councils often involve young participants. Through these activities, students and young volunteers are introduced to practical environmental conservation actions while gaining a better understanding of the importance of protecting Malta’s natural habitats and biodiversity.

The Environment and Resources Authorityalso administers the Environment Fund, which provides financial support for environmental conservation projects, studies and initiatives that contribute to the objectives of the Environment Protection Act. The Fund supports projects aimed at preventing or mitigating environmental damage while promoting sustainable environmental management across the Maltese Islands. Funding may support projects related to biodiversity protection, improvements to urban and rural environments, the sustainable use of land, water and marine resources, and measures aimed at safeguarding environmental quality, including air quality and environmental noise. Through such initiatives, young people may also become involved in environmental projects and community activities that promote environmental stewardship and sustainable development.

Environmental engagement among young people is also encouraged through national climate and sustainability policy frameworks coordinated by the Ministry for the Environment, Energy and Public Cleanliness. Malta’s climate governance framework includes the National Energy and Climate Plan, which promotes awareness and behavioural change related to energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. Educational campaigns and awareness initiatives associated with this framework frequently involve educational institutions and youth organisations, helping to raise awareness among young people about climate change and environmental responsibility.

Green production and consumption

Public initiatives promoting environmentally responsible production and consumption behaviours in Malta focus on environmental education, waste management awareness and sustainable mobility policies. Young people are an important target group for these initiatives, particularly through school-based programmes and youth outreach activities.

Environmental awareness and sustainable consumption behaviours are strongly promoted through programmes implemented by WasteServ Malta Ltd, the national agency responsible for waste management. WasteServ engages young people through a variety of educational initiatives designed to promote recycling, waste reduction and proper waste separation. Through the ECOHIVE Academy, the agency provides educational activities aimed at introducing students to sustainable waste management practices. WasteServ’s education team regularly conducts school visits, educational talks and guided tours of Waste Treatment Plant, allowing students to observe how waste is processed and managed. The agency also participates in outreach activities in summer schools, where children engage in interactive games and craft activities that illustrate the importance of reducing waste and separating recyclables.

WasteServ also collaborates with youth initiatives that promote environmental awareness. For example, the agency supports activities related to the Young Reporters for the Environment programme, encouraging students to develop projects addressing waste management and sustainable consumption. Campaigns such as “Be Drastic”, which focus on reducing single-use plastics, have involved student participation and environmental awareness activities in schools. In addition, WasteServ engages directly with youth groups through educational sessions and site visits designed to promote environmental responsibility. Outreach activities are also organised through mobile awareness campaigns such as Sort It Out, which raise awareness about recycling and waste separation within local communities. Engagement with older youth is further supported through participation in educational events such as Freshers’ Week at post-secondary institutions, where WasteServ promotes environmental awareness and career opportunities in the green sector. Through these initiatives, the agency aims to cultivate a culture of responsible waste management among younger generations. More information is available at https://www.wasteservmalta.com.

Wasteserve also organises organises the European Waste Reduction Week in Malta. The aim is to encouraging a wide range of audiences, including young people, to come up with practical solutions and activities that help to reduce waste or increase recycling, and promote these actions amongst peers. 

Environmental education is further strengthened through the EkoSkola (Eco-Schools) programme, which operates widely across Maltese schools and promotes sustainability through student-led environmental initiatives. The programme encourages schools to adopt sustainable practices such as recycling, energy conservation and responsible resource use, while students form environmental committees that lead awareness campaigns and sustainability projects within their schools. By actively involving students in environmental decision-making and practical sustainability initiatives, the programme encourages young people to develop environmentally responsible behaviours from an early age. 

Sustainable mobility initiatives implemented by public authorities also contribute to promoting environmentally responsible consumption behaviours among young people. In 2022 Malta introduced a national free public transport scheme, implemented by Transport Malta, which provides free bus travel to residents holding a personalised Tallinja card. The initiative aims to reduce dependence on private vehicles and promote public transport as a more sustainable mobility option. Young people and students are among the main beneficiaries of this policy, as public transport is frequently used for commuting to schools, colleges and universities. By removing financial barriers to public transport use, the initiative encourages young people to adopt environmentally friendly travel habits from an early age.

Further measures encouraging sustainable transport choices are implemented through financial incentive schemes administered by Transport Malta. These schemes provide grants for environmentally friendly transport options such as electric bicycles and electric scooters. The incentives aim to encourage the adoption of low-emission mobility alternatives and reduce reliance on conventional motor vehicles. Young people, particularly students and young adults who travel short distances for education or employment, represent an important group that can benefit from these incentives. More information can be found at https://www.transport.gov.mt/land/sustainable-transport/financial-incentives.

Environmental sustainability is also promoted through initiatives implemented by the Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation. Environmental education forms part of the school curriculum and is complemented by initiatives that encourage students to participate in environmental projects and awareness activities. Through educational programmes and extracurricular initiatives, young people are encouraged to understand the environmental impact of consumption patterns and to adopt more sustainable behaviours in their everyday lives.