Elected members and employees of Malta's Local Councils have begun receiving specialised training aimed at enhancing their effectiveness in serving communities, the government said.

The programme, launched last year under the National Training Strategy for the Local Government Sector, recently saw its first participants receive certification upon completion. It is co-financed through the European Social Fund, with a total investment of around €600,000, of which approximately €530,000 comes from EU funding.

The initiative is being delivered by the National Training Council for Local Government, composed of the Institute for the Public Service, the Local Government Directorate, the Local Councils' Association, and the Association of Executive Secretaries.

Minister for European Funds and the Implementation of the Electoral Manifesto Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi described the programme as a direct investment in communities through stronger human resources. He emphasised that training opportunities contribute to more professional and efficient services for citizens.

The programme includes training courses, study visits and practical experiences both locally and abroad, aimed at broadening participants' expertise.

Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government Alison Zerafa Civelli highlighted the importance of investing in human resources, noting that employment within Local Councils is increasingly seen as a long-term career. She said the initiative will strengthen workers' competencies and help deliver higher-quality services, in line with Malta's Vision 2050.