University of Malta hosts REGARD project kick-off events

The University of Malta hosted the kick-off events of the REGARD Project (Habitat REstoration and GARdens for bioDiversity), a cross-border initiative funded by the Interreg Italia-Malta Programme. The project brings together partners from Malta and Sicily with the aim of restoring habitats, enhancing biodiversity, and promoting heritage sites through nature-based solutions.

The central event took place on Thursday 11 September at the Valletta Campus, gathering representatives from all partner institutions, institutional stakeholders, and invited guests. Following welcoming remarks by Prof. Joseph Buhagiar, Principal Investigator of the project at UM, Prof. Simon Fabri, Pro-Rector for Research and Knowledge Transfer, and Mr Fabian Psaila from the Funds and Programmes Division, the session continued with presentations from each of the partner institutions. These highlighted the project’s objectives, planned activities, and the complementary expertise being brought together across terrestrial, marine, and cultural heritage domains.

Concluding remarks were made by Hon. Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi, Minister for European Funds and the Implementation of the Electoral Programme, and praised REGARD as an important step for cross-border biodiversity conservation and reaffirmed the government’s support for initiatives that connect science, policy, and community engagement.

The launch was complemented by two additional activities. On Wednesday 10 September, a technical meeting at UM’s Msida Campus brought partners together to discuss project deliverables, including the design of biodiversity gardens representing different habitats, seedbank actions, genetic studies, and public engagement measures.

On Friday 12 September, a site visit was held at the Għar Dalam Natura 2000 Site, where the biodiversity gardens are projected to be set-up. Participants viewed ongoing and planned restoration works and toured the cave, underscoring the project’s strong link between ecological restoration and heritage interpretation.

Through these events, REGARD was formally launched, setting the foundation for cross- border collaboration in habitat restoration and biodiversity enhancement. The University of Malta, as a key partner, will contribute expertise in seedbank conservation and ecological restoration, ensuring that the project delivers tangible benefits for both nature and society.