In September, we held two community assemblies, one for Valletta and Floriana residents, and the other for Gozo residents. These brought residents together to discuss their common concerns and problems in their localities, especially in relation to the sea, and their possible solutions. They follow another community assembly in Manoel Island we held in May where we held similar discussions relating to public access and public spaces, pollution issues, and public wellbeing vs. private interests.

During these assemblies, residents mentioned the commercialisation of public spaces in Valletta, air pollution from cruise ships, overcrowding and waste issues in Comino, pollution from jet skis and light pollution from boats, excessive noise in Valletta. Residents proposed various solutions – from better environmental monitoring, a more immediate deadline for the mandatory use of the shore-to-ship infrastructure at the Valletta cruise-ship terminal, limits on the commercialisation of public open spaces, to citizen-science initiatives to monitor air quality! These discussions will form the basis of a list of demands we will present to policymakers.

They also show the potential of coming together to discuss issues of common concern, presenting a potential model of democratic participation where citizens can be empowered to contribute to decisions that affect them directly.

The community assemblies are part of the Save Our Shores project within the Climate, Energy and Mobility campaign. The project focuses on the impact of wealthy marine activities – such as yachts and cruise ships – on coastal communities.

Join us for the next community assembly in Marsascala on 10th October at Dar Frate Jacoba!

The SOS Project is supported by the Minor Foundation for Major Challenges.