As the year draws to a close, so does Friends of the Earth Malta’s (FoEM) celebration of the 40th anniversary since its founding as Żgħażagħ Għall-Ambjent. The NGO is humbled to have reached this milestone and deeply grateful for the journey thus far.
On 23 November 2025, FoEM marked the 40th anniversary of its first documented protest, the moment that officially launched the organisation and brought it national recognition. From that point on, the group worked tirelessly to advance environmental action, awareness, and social change. The early years were marked by initiatives ahead of their time, addressing issues that would later shape national policy, from renewable energy and proper waste management to marine protection and more. The dedication and perseverance of these early activists laid a strong foundation for FoEM’s continued growth and impact. The organisation remains profoundly thankful to its founding members and the legacy they created.
The anniversary event was a heartfelt tribute attended by veteran members, supporters, current members, and volunteers. Together, participants revisited FoEM’s timeline and reflected on four decades of achievements. Earlier this year, FoEM highlighted key milestones, centering the people whose unwavering dedication and support helped build the organisation and advance its mission.
This year, FoEM continued its campaigning work in Climate, Energy, and Mobility, Food, Agriculture & Biodiversity (FAB), Zero Waste, and its flagship project Il-Forn ta’ Kemmuna. The NGO has advanced initiatives for renewable energy and a fossil fuel-free Malta, alongside efforts to improve local waste management. Notably, FoEM conducted waste audits and public outreach on Comino, promoting respect for the protected Natura 2000 site. In the realm of food sovereignty, the organisation has supported local farmers and promoted climate-friendly eating, recently launching a plant-based proposal in collaboration with other eNGOs. Building on four decades of activism, FoEM also partnered with other environmental organisations on action-based campaigns, including the recently launched Ġustizzja Għal Artna, led by colleagues at Moviment Graffitti. These efforts honour the legacy of past activists while tackling pressing environmental challenges today.
As FoEM enters its fifth decade, the community it has nurtured continues to serve as a beacon of hope. Despite a global landscape marked by crises, conflict, deregulation, and the rise of authoritarianism, FoEM remains committed to grassroots activism, working toward a more just and sustainable world for both people and the environment.
This journey would not have been possible without the dedication of veteran members, those who are no longer with us, supporters, current members, and volunteers. FoEM thanks each and every one of them for their invaluable contributions to building a greener, fairer future.
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. “This project has been funded by the NGO Co-Financing Fund (NCF) managed by the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector (MCVS) supported by the Ministry for Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector (MIV)
