Be the first to comment!39 Councils implement children’s councils within one year
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Within just one year, 39 Local and Regional Councils in Gozo and Malta have established children’s councils within their structures, empowering youth to influence community decisions.
The RIGHTS project – one of only 10 projects to secure direct EU funding from 154 European submissions – last December paved the way for a collaboration with the Education Ministry, the Local Government Ministry and the Local Councils Association, led by the Malta Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society, to implement these councils.
The overall enthusiasm for youth participation has helped overcome initial challenges and by April 2025, all 68 local councils and all six regional councils will have their own children’s councils in place.
MFWS chair Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca said the child participation training coupled with the work forged with councils, schools and relevant stakeholders had led to rewarding results where children were already starting to shape their community’s projects.
“Today is a moment of tremendous joy for me to witness the strides we have made in just one year thanks to the goodwill and acceptance of all those involved. These councils will give our youngsters the channels to penetrate deeper into the community.
“This is just the beginning. We are empowering children to become leaders of their community, and eventually, the future leaders of our country,” she said.
Ms Coleiro Preca, together with Prime Minister Robert Abela, addressed all the Local and Regional Councils that have successfully established children’s councils.
The Foundation has also trained 200 people – local council members together with mentors – on safeguarding and child participation.
Ms Coleiro Preca said, “Our goal is to ensure that by early next year we will see all councils foster a culture where children feel empowered to question, analyse, and suggest improvements while fostering mutual respect and understanding between generations.”
Photo MFWS: Malta Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society chair Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca with one of the youngsters during the one-year anniversary of the RIGHTS project.
