Memos of Understanding have been signed today with six Local Councils, including Xewkija Local Council in Gozo, to receive funds towards greening their locations.

The Ministry for Sustainable Development, the Environment and Climate Change is providing financial assistance of of €30,000 each to Xewkija, St Venera, Attard, San Gwann, Birzebbugia and Cospicua Local Councils.

This started as a pilot project in 2014 and the Government has so far provided €530,000 in funding to assist Local Councils.

Speaking during the ceremony, which took place at the Santa Venera Romeo Romano Gardens, the Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Climate Change Leo Brincat said, "the main objective of the project is to compensate and alleviate some of the air pollution that these sites are exposed to, including by traffic."

Minister Brincat said that the proposals submitted by the six Local Councils have been scrutinised by Parks officials, and accepted and authorised by the Permanent Secretary within the Ministry.

Also present today was the Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government Stefan Buontempo, who congratulated the six Local Councils, which joined with nine other Councils that have already entered this scheme.

By greening our communities, said Dr Buontempo, "we are improving the quality of life both in relation to human health, as well as the well-being of members of the community."

He said that, "the more green our spaces are, the more we will see the positive effects on the environment we live in, by serving as a counterbalance to the pollution generated by human activities."