Financing details about local council initiatives on the occasion of World Cleanup Day have been announced.

World Cleanup Day is celebrated each year in countries around the world, and will this year be celebrated on 17 September.

39 local councils benefitted from a fund of around €97,000 to organise cleaning and rubbish picking activities in their respective localities. The funds were allocated through the Strategy and Implementation directorate in the Local Government Division, following a call for applications from regional and local councils.

The aim of the initiative is for councils to unite their communities to clean up Maltese and Gozitan localities.

Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government  Alison Zerafa Civelli said that through this initiative, we will be generating more understanding and awareness about the need to keep public spaces clean, while sending the message that an investment in cleanliness is an investment in our health.

She urged councils to invite NGOs and other entities in the locality to unite for these activities.

The Director General for the Local Government Division  Natalino Attard said that this occasion can also be one where local councils serve as a means to involve the whole community in activities they will organise.