More than 500 youngsters are actively shaping their communities after 65 local and regional councils set up dedicated children’s councils within their structures.

Conceived by former President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, the Children’s Local Councils form part of the Regional Interactive Guiding Hub & Training Society (RIGHTS), one of only 10 projects to secure EU funding from 154 European submissions in December 2023.

A collaborative effort involving the Malta Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society, the Education Ministry, the Local Government Ministry and the Local Councils Association, this project is already starting to bear fruit in under 18 months.

Ms Coleiro Preca, MFWS chair, said the project was geared to empower youth to influence community decisions, and have a say in policies that impacted them and their lives.

“By involving children in local decision-making, we are unlocking fresh perspectives that will lead to meaningful improvements in our community. These youngsters are leaders; leaders of new ideas who approach life with open minds and open hearts,” Ms Coleiro Preca said, urging children to remain curious and to continue asking questions in their quest for the truth.

“You are the first children in our islands’ history that will be writing a new chapter… We are already witnessing these changes at a local level,” she said.

Ms Coleiro Preca cited as an example the recent launch of Toroq Ħajjin – Playstreets Project in Żebbuġ, where every second Saturday of the month children will have the opportunity to take over the roads with their carefree play, starting from today.

Ms Coleiro Preca was this morning addressing a conference, attended by Education Minister Clifton Grima and Local Government Parliamentary Secretary Alison Zerafa Civelli ,and held at St Benedict College, Kirkop.

The RIGHTS project secured €200,000 in EU funds in 2023 and marked the culmination of 10 years’ work by the MFWS team, going back to when the Children’s Council was first set up during Ms Coleiro Preca’s presidency.

Nate, a six-year-old boy, described how much he enjoyed being part of the council and sharing ideas, while Ben, 9, said the children’s council gave him the platform to speak up, be heard and make a difference.

“It’s a safe space where we can share ideas, learn new things and take part in my community,” Ben added.

Ms Zerafa Civelli in fact remarked on the importance to listen to children when taking local and national decisions. The Children’s Local Councils, she added, were giving Maltese and Gozitan children the opportunity to think and decide their own future.

The children’s councils enshrine the core principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which assert that children have the right to express their views freely and that adults are obliged to listen and facilitate their participation in all matters affecting them within the family, school, local communities, public services, institutions, government policy and judicial proceedings.

The councils are providing children with a platform to share their thoughts, build connections, foster a sense of community and belonging, and transform perspectives.