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Reform Support
The development of a Sustainable Development Strategy for the Maltese Islands for 2050 and Action Plan

Supporting reforms to transition to a green economy and fight climate change

Funding Programme
Structural Reform Support Programme (SRSP)
Year
2019

The development of a Sustainable Development Strategy and Action Plan for Malta for 2050

The Commission supported Malta in delivering capacity-building workshops and supported the Government in identifying sustainable development priorities, interlinkages and trade-offs, in view of the formulation of the Sustainable Development Strategy. 

Malta is making progress in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals, however, important challenges remain. While its economy has been fast growing, it is confronted with long-term sustainability challenges.  

Context 

The Maltese government received support in the formulation of the Sustainable Development Strategy 2050, aiming to translate Malta’s Sustainable Development Vision for 2050 into strategic priorities. Malta’s Sustainable Development Vision for 2050, which applies the UN Agenda 2030 to Malta’s context, has been approved by governmental decision since 2018. In order to be operational, the Sustainable Development Directorate (SDD) – currently located within the Ministry for Energy, Enterprise, and Sustainable Development (MESD) – is tasked with developing a SD Strategy (2050) by early 2022.  This will then by followed by an Action Plan (2030) which will outline concrete goals and targets to be delivered by 2030.    

Support delivered 

During the first phase of the project, capacity-building workshops were delivered to senior public officers. The workshops were designed to strengthen their capacity to collectively support the mainstreaming of sustainable objectives across sectoral policies, especially during policy foresight, formulation, and budgeting.  

During the second phase, the project supported the Government in the identification of sustainable development priorities, interlinkages, and trade-offs among them, in view of the formulation of the Sustainable Development Strategy. Workshops with civil society representatives and all branches of the government were held using strategic planning methodologies to identify priorities and actions to be included in the strategy.  

Results achieved 

The following results were achieved: 

  • Assessment of the existing Sustainable Development Governance Framework and governance arrangements to deliver on the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Maltese Islands for 2050 (including reviewing existing sectoral and regional development strategies, legislation and programmes).
  • Support of the development of a Sustainable Development Action Plan for the Maltese Islands with specific assistance on implementation including on mandates, resources, coordination mechanisms and stakeholder consultations.
  • Arranging peer to peer exchanges and trainings on the Governance Framework and Action Plan and workshops to validate the conclusions of  specific recommendations and policy options.