Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization, committed to protecting and campaigning for Malta and Gozo’s environmental and cultural heritage for a socially inclusive and sustainable quality of life. Our organization lobbies for better planning and land-use policies not only for the sake of preservation but also as an agent for both socially and environmentally conscious regeneration and growth within Malta’s urban development, and to ensure that all that is implemented aligns with our commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals across all fronts.
As catalysts for change, FAA also carries out eco-projects that aim to instigate social change and raise public awareness and understanding of examples of good practice that illustrate the type of realistic and attainable change necessary across all sectors, be it governmental or private, to guarantee the truly long term growth of our islands in the face of growing environmental challenges.
Since we set up in 2006, FAA has established a positive track record in saving sites for future generations, beginning with the Tal-Papa farm, an oasis of rare endemic plants and protected fauna dating back to the 16th Century, which has been protected through FAA’s intervention. We have similarly ensured the protection of St. John’s Co-Cathedral and the Palazz ta’ Rohan at Balzan, Ta’ Ħaġrat Temples at Mġarr, Villa Bologna in Attard, the Art Deco House and Villa Bonici in Sliema, as well as the Palazz ta’ Rohan at Balzan, Villa Mekrech and Palazzo Giannin in Għaxaq. FAA’s campaigning has saved streetscapes and public facilities in Mellieha, Sliema, Balzan, Senglea and Marsaskala as well as protecting a watercourse in Mellieħa and virgin land in Żebbuġ, Marsalforn, Qala Valley, Ramla l-Ħamra hillside and Ħondoq ir-Rummien from being built up. Our lobbying has brought about MEPA Reform and most importantly, we are empowering the public with the awareness of its environmental rights.
FAA is also active in saving trees, both as regards the preservation of existing mature trees, and in promoting the planting of trees in urban areas. As such FAA was instrumental in the saving of some 50 trees on the Senglea waterfront as well as the 70 trees that form the tree canopy at Salina. FAA strongly opposed the Victoria Local Council’s proposed uprooting of the trees at Pjazza Indipendenza (it-Tokk), taking the matter all the way to the Gozo courts, which confirmed that the trees cannot be touched other than for light pruning.
FAA organises cultural walks and talks to increase the appreciation of Maltese heritage and environment. It also organises annual architecture awards along with the University Department of Architecture, to make tomorrow’s architects aware of the particular requirements of sensitive rural and urban conservation areas.
FAA is now building a Maltese Heritage Website focusing on history, architecture, art and culture, in order to encourage students to appreciate their heritage. This will also serve to attract cultural tourists to Malta.
FAA considers that improvements in land use planning, water conservation, air quality and public transport are key to a better quality of life. FAA’s pressure has resulted in laws regulating construction sites, Planning Authority reform and Planning Authority decisions that favored reducing over-development, preserving streetscapes and protecting public green areas.
FAA has established the public’s right to environmental information, environmental justice and to participate in decisions that affect residents, as set out in the Aarhus Convention.
When FAA was set up, it was thought that the citizen is powerless to change things for the better. Our lobbying is changing that perception, to the benefit of all residents of the Maltese Islands.
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