The project "Development of an Integrated Communications Strategy in the Environment Field" was financed under the National Plan for the Adoption of the Acquis Programme for Malta 2002. This programme aimed to prepare the Maltese administration to face the challenges posed by EU accession.

The project formed part of a larger project titled Establishing institutional capacity in the environment sector and was implemented by means of a framework contract.

The main aim of the framework contract was to improve the environmental communication process at MEPA and throughout the environmental sector, with a view to facilitating the process of implementation of the EU's Environmental Acquis.

The project team assessed the current approaches to dissemination of environmental information, environmental education and awareness raising, as well as public participation in environmental decision making and provided a number of recommendations for improvement.

The recommendations were further developed into an integrated communications strategy for the environment field, which was compiled in collaboration with various stakeholders in the environmental sector.

Having a total budget of €159,000 provided by the EU, the project was launched in May 2004 and completed in January 2005.

Within MEPA, the project was coordinated by the Corporate Services Directorate and the Public Relations Office with assistance from the EU and Multilateral Affairs Unit.