Pembroke Scout Group has officially launched TownsLab, an Erasmus+ youth participation project designed to empower young people to make their voices heard and play an active role in shaping the communities in which they live, the group said in a statement.

Led by the Pembroke Venture Unit and supported by the Erasmus+ Programme, TownsLab brings together young people aged 13 to 30 through a series of fun, practical and engaging activities focused on youth participation, civic engagement and local decision-making.

The project provides a platform where young people can move beyond simply expressing their opinions and actively contribute ideas and recommendations for creating more youth-friendly towns across Malta and Gozo.

The launch activity, held on 4 July 2026 at Pembroke Scouts Head Quarters in Pembroke, marked the beginning of a five-part programme running until March 2027. More than 10 other Scout Groups are participating in the project alongside other youth in Malta.

Through interactive workshops, games, teamwork and discussions, participants will have opportunities to explore their communities, identify challenges and opportunities, exchange ideas and ultimately contribute to recommendations for more inclusive and youth-friendly towns.

The statement said that for young people, TownsLab is an opportunity to develop practical skills while discovering that their opinions can make a difference.

Leadership, communication and teamwork are central to the activities, alongside greater awareness of civic participation, decision-making and the European Youth Goals. Participants will work collaboratively to generate and prioritise ideas, engage in dialogue with policy experts and decision-makers and contribute to the development of a Youth-Friendly Towns Charter.

"Equally significant is the learning experience being gained by the Pembroke Ventures themselves. Taking responsibility for planning, coordinating and managing a project of this scale has given these young leaders a valuable opportunity to put Scouting principles into practice," it said.

Through organisation, teamwork, communication, problem-solving and decision-making, the Pembroke Ventures team of 12 young people, are not simply participating in the project; they are taking ownership of an initiative with a meaningful purpose and wider community impact.

"This hands-on responsibility demonstrates the power of youth leadership; when young people are trusted, supported and given the opportunity to lead, they can develop the confidence and skills to create positive change."

It said that for the Pembroke Ventures, TownsLab is therefore both a project and a learning journey, one that challenges them to step forward, take responsibility and understand the impact they can have as young citizens.

The TownsLab programme will continue with the second activity during September 2026, where youth shall engage in brainstorming and generating ideas, followed by activities focusing on dialogue with decision-makers, developing recommendations and drafting the Youth-Friendly Towns Charter.

The project will culminate in a final event during March 2027.

"TownsLab reflects the spirit of both Scouting and the Erasmus+ programme: learning by doing, working together, taking responsibility and empowering young people to become active citizens. By placing young people at the centre of the process, and entrusting them with leading, the project seeks not only to listen to their ideas, but to demonstrate that their voices, creativity and leadership have a genuine role to play in building the communities of tomorrow," the scouts group said.

Pembroke Scout Group, founded more than 30 years ago, proudly forms part of The Scout Association of Malta, the largest youth organisation in the Maltese Islands.

Young people aged 13 to 30 who are interested in getting involved in TownsLab and contributing their ideas to the future of Malta's and Gozo's towns are warmly invited to reach out to the Venture Scout Group at Pembroke Scouts for further information and opportunities to participate.

The project welcomes young people who are curious, creative and ready to share their views and help make a difference.