FRIENDS OF THE EARTH MALTA

Friends of the Earth Malta (FoEM) is an independent organisation that is distinct from any political party. It is not directly affiliated with any other environmental group in Malta, but it works with several social and environmental NGOs on issues that are of common concern and interest. FoEM has been active in the environmental field in Malta since 1985. Originally created under the name of Żgħażagħ Għall-Ambjent (Youths for the Environment), the organisation later became widely known as Moviment Għall-Ambjent (Movement for the Environment). FoEM was founded with the intention of consolidating various youth and environmental groups in the country, which quickly developed into a committee of activists. This group received noteworthy media coverage in November 1985, when members were attached during a peaceful protest that was set up to oppose development on Malta’s pristine beaches and countryside. In 1991, the group joined the international network of Friends of the Earth. Friends of the Earth International includes groups from 75 countries and 6 continents, making it the World’s largest grassroots environmental networks. Since 2008 FoE Malta has been enrolled with the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations in accordance with the Voluntary Organisations Act. Registered No. VO/0091 FoEM campaigns on some of today’s most pressing environmental and social issues, by engaging the public directly through a wide range of diverse projects and activities. FoEM creates and participates in vibrant campaigns, raises awareness on a number of pertinent national and international issues, and mobilises people to participate in decision-making processes. FoEM strives to provide creative solutions that are based on sound knowledge and information, especially through the promotion of alternatives to certain environmental behaviours. And in keeping to our activist roots, FoEM continuously lobbies, mobilises, and influences the policy community towards a more just and sustainable society. The environmental campaigns FoEM focuses on have changed throughout the years based on environmental priorities on a national and EU level. Currently, the NGO campaigns focus on: Climate Change; Food, Farming & Nature; Resource Use; Activism & Democracy. FoEM’s educational and awareness-raising campaigns involve various target groups including youth, the farming community, police & decision-makers, marginalised communities (for example migrants, the elderly) and to a broad extent the general public.