Friends of the Earth Malta, in collaboration with other organisations across Europe, has been working on an initiative for youths to learn innovative approaches in social permaculture and sustainable living practices. Recently, Friends of the Earth Malta, in collaboration with PRISMS Malta and Generation (Change?), hosted a Permaculture Evening, bringing together youth and youth workers as a culmination of the project. Participants engaged in interactive stations, including an environmental quiz, practical demonstrations of permaculture techniques, and a tasting of mocktails made with local, seasonal ingredients.
Rooted in the ethics of caring for people, the earth, and fair sharing, social permaculture applies these principles to community-building. It focuses on creating systems that empower individuals and foster collaboration, sustainability, and resilience in the face of social and environmental challenges. Through the project called NASPLY, Friends of the Earth Malta and its partners have equipped over 60 youth workers and 100 young people across Europe with the tools and knowledge to apply these principles in their communities.
These tools include a training course and a comprehensive toolkit for youths and people working with young people. The resources cover various topics such as social permaculture, green entrepreneurship, and life skills development. These resources, available in four languages, have been accessed by hundreds of users across Europe.
Furthermore, the project has facilitated the creation of permaculture spaces in five countries – Malta, Spain, Cyprus, Germany, and Italy. Locally, youths and youth workers lent a hand in the community garden of Friends of the Earth Malta in Floriana. These spaces have become hubs for sustainable practices, community engagement, and environmental education, serving as models for further future initiatives.
“The NASPLY project has brought a transformation amongst the partner organisations involved. We’ve seen firsthand how social permaculture can be a powerful tool for youth empowerment and integration” says Martina Camilleri, Project Manager at Friends of the Earth Malta. “The project has yielded remarkable results, not just in terms of training and resources, but in fostering a deeper understanding of sustainable living amongst young people.”
About NASPLY
The NASPLY project was designed to address environmental and social challenges by equipping youth workers and young people with the knowledge and skills to create resilient, sustainable communities. Through innovative training, resources, and hands-on projects, NASPLY has made a lasting impact on youth and communities across Europe. The project was a collaborative effort among seven partner organisations from five European countries: Friends of the Earth Malta, APS La Fenice, Asociación Cultural y Medioambiental Permacultura Cantabria, Generation (Change?), Jugend & Kulturprojekt EV., Prisms Malta, and Research and education of social empowerment and transformation (RESET).
For further information on the NASPLY project and to access the tools and resources, please visit www.nasplyproject.eu or contact Martina Camilleri at martina@foemalta.org.
The NASPLY project is 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 the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
Friends of the Earth Malta (FoEM), established in 1985, has been active in addressing key issues like Food, Agriculture & Biodiversity, Climate Change, Resource Use, and Circular economy & Resource Use. FoEM engages the public through vibrant campaigns, educational initiatives, and policy advocacy, unifying youth and environmental groups for sustainable development.
