Last month we were visited by three representatives from the ACF fund scheme and a representative from SOS Malta where we showcases the results of the YEAH! Youth Hub project. It’s been a year since we started to hold weekly Youth Hub meetings which became a non–formal educational place.

The Youth Engagement & Activism Hub (YEAH!) was organised by us, Friends of the Earth Malta, in collaboration with Generation (Change?), a local NGO established by experienced youth workers. Together we set up a Youth hub where youth had the opportunity to create their own space and engage with environmental on social themes through critical thinking and healthy debate – all towards civic participation.

This visit was an opportunity for us, Friends of the Earth Malta and Generation (Change?), to meet with the funders and present our project and the need which it was addressing, provide a platform for more inclusive democratic and civic youth engagement in decision-making by creating a structure to engage marginalised youth in intersectional cooperation for the development of joint actions towards a socially just and ecologically fair future. Furthermore, it was a great opportunity to discuss the realities and challenges of creating and implementing such projects, which NGOs face.

During this visit we presented our Green Resource Centre which has been used as the Youth Hub’s meeting point, every Thursday evening between 17:00 and 20:00. Together we visited our garden where the youths have been carrying out some garden work, upkeeping the soil and watering our plants. Once back inside we presented the youth hub sessions through a presentation highlighting the monthly themes, ranging from (Examples) to (Examples) and the youth’s work and participation within and outside of the youth hub.

Both Friends of the Earth Malta and Generation (Change?) were glad of this opportunity as it helped to contextualise the need and impact of the project and highlight its relevance within the local context. We appreciate the ACF Fund taking selecting our project and familiarising more with its beneficiaries, from our side we look forward to collaborating further with ACF in the future on other projects

The Youth Hub is still ongoing, every Thursday evening between 17:00 – 20:00. Join us!