Panel: Bridging the Skills Gap

Friends of the Earth is organising an online discussion on the future of green jobs and the skills required for a sustainable economy. As we continue the transition toward greener industries, a key question emerges: are stakeholders equipped with the necessary skills and resources to meet the demands of this shift?

This event will spotlight the YouthEco Project, which equipped young people, particularly NEETs and young women, with the skills needed for success in green sectors. The event will feature a panel of key stakeholders, from experts in the field to policymakers. Each speaker will bring valuable insights on the challenges and opportunities in training for green jobs, exploring the current skills gap, and discussing what more can be done to address it.

Join us online on Monday, 28th October from 3pm to 5pm for this important conversation. This event is designed for youths, professionals, and stakeholders from a variety of areas, so if the topic resonates with you, secure your place by completing the registration form below.

Who are the panelists?

Martin Galea De Giovanni is a long-time environmentalist and the director of Friends of the Earth Malta, where he has been a key advocate for sustainable development for nearly 25 years. With an M.Sc in Environmental Management and Planning and a background in Environmental Studies, Martin has led numerous projects focusing on agriculture, biodiversity, and climate change. He represents Friends of the Earth Malta internationally, serves as a Board Member at Friends of the Earth Europe in Brussels and as Ombudsperson for the FoE International network. Additionally, he is the representative of environmental NGOs on Malta’s Environment Resources Authority. In the YouthEco panel discussion, Martin will bring the perspective of environmental NGOs, addressing the role of civil society in bridging the green skills gap and advocating for a sustainable, inclusive transition to the green economy. 

Samuel Muscat is a Chemistry graduate and volunteer with Friends of the Earth Malta. He currently works as a scientific officer in the government’s restoration and preservation department. Driven by his passion for the natural world, Samuel pursued a Master’s degree in sustainable energy to play a role in the energy transition crucial for addressing the climate crisis. As a participant in the YouthEco project’s job shadowing experience, Samuel gained valuable green skills that have shaped his career and activism. His experience highlights the importance of equipping young people with the tools needed to thrive in the green economy. In his free time, Samuel enjoys gardening, growing local flora, and cycling, and hopes to see a less car-dependent Malta in the future.

Dr Justin Zahra is the Senior Director of the EU Agriculture Program at the Environmental Defense Fund, where he focuses on incentivising equitable transitions to climate-smart agricultural practices that safeguard farmer livelihoods, while reducing emissions of the most powerful planet-warming emissions. His work addresses critical challenges related to climate change and sustainable development, with an emphasis on reducing powerful greenhouse gases like methane.With a legal background and nearly two decades of experience in EU and national public policy, Dr. Zahra has extensive expertise in agriculture and environmental policy. He previously led Malta’s Agricultural and Rural Payments Agency, managing €200M+ in EU funding for rural, agricultural, and environmental projects, and spent six years representing Malta at EU institutions.A lawyer by profession, he was previously a Senior Civil servant with 19 years’ experience in EU-level and national public affairs and public policy in the areas of EU funding, agriculture and environmental policy. This spanned 7 years heading Malta’s Agricultural and Rural Payments Agency responsible for €200M+ of EAGF and EAFRD EU funding for agricultural, rural and environmental projects, 5 years heading Malta’s Agriculture Department and 6 years in Brussels representing Malta/Agriculture Ministry at high-level political and technical fora in the EU institutions.Dr. Zahra brings a wealth of knowledge on policy solutions that bridge the gap between environmental sustainability and economic resilience – an essential focus for preparing young people for green jobs in the evolving economy.

This event is co-financed by the European Union, also supported by Agenzija Zghazagh through the INVEST Operational Grant 2023-2025.