Family and Social Solidarity Minister Dolores Cristina has inaugurated a new partnership agreement between the National Family Commission and the St Jeanne Antide Foundation.

The Department of Information said the project, representing social renewal in localities, followed another project in Victoria which was a success story.

Minister Cristina said that residents who till now remained silent between their four walls now have the opportunity to make their voice heard and to help themselves. The aim of such projects, she added, was to empower people.

According to Sandro Spiteri, chairman of the National Family Commission, said the project owed its origins to the commission’s wish for its role to be not only one of research and consultation, but also of practicality. Families had energy and the will to move forward and improve their community.

Nora Macelli, executive head of St Jeanne Antide Foundation said the first project in Tac-Cawla, Gozo was a pioneer.

The project had been run by the Foundation for Educational Services with social partners who had shown an interest to join in renewal.