The Twinning project MT/06/IB/EN/01 “Further Institution Building in the Environment Sector” is co-funded by the European Union and the Maltese Government under the 2006 Transition Facility Programme for Malta and consists of four components:

Component 1 - Assessment of the current situation and development of recommendations:  In this component the legal instruments and institutional arrangements currently in place for the implementation of the Aarhus Convention in Malta were assessed, and recommendations were drawn up on how to improve the existing situation with regard to public access to environmental information, public participation in environmental decision-making and access to justice in environmental matters.

Component 2 -  Implementation of recommendations: In this component recommendations were discussed with stakeholders for subsequent implementation.  Some recommendations were applied during the lifetime of the project, thus establishing an efficient and effective administrative system to implement the Aarhus Convention. One such recommendation included the conclusion of  a series of agreements between MEPA and key holders of environmental information in Malta, with the aim of securing the availability, timeliness and quality of environmental information, supported by efficient information management systems.

Component 3 - Development of guidance documents:  This component resulted in the development of guidelines on the Aarhus Convention addressing public authorities, industry and the general public in Malta.

Component 4 - Training and awareness-raising: This component provides training for civil servants and awareness-raising for key stakeholders and the general public.