St Julian’s Local Council was approached by The Islands, a Maltese non-governmental organisation set up to promote cooperation between Malta and Sicily, Italy. The Islands suggested twinning between Comune di Piazza Armerina and St. Julian’s Local Council based on mutual points of interest, especially as regards to tourism. This project was also brought up by the help of Servizzi Ewropej f’Malta. 

Tourism is important to both of our localities. COVID-19 was a global pandemic which negatively impacted economies over the world and was a major public health concern. It is still early to fully grasp the impact of COVID-19 on the Maltese and Italian economies, or the local economies in our localities. Going forward, a balance needs to be struck between policies protecting public health and safety as well as getting the economies of European countries back on track, including through tourism. 

This project named European Town Twinning, which was fully funded by the European Union also included information seminars between the two countries. All the details were given in a conference where present was the Mayor of San Giljan and now Nationalist Member of Parliament Hon.Albert Buttigieg, Councilor of the Local Council of San Giljan, Mayor of Comune di Piazza Aremrina Avv. Nino Cammarata and the Italian Ambassador to Malta, his excellency Fabrizio Romano.

This project included: 

1. Organising a three-day twinning event in Malta promoting cooperation between SJLC and CPA on topics of mutual interest. These events took place from the 28th of October 2022 till the 30th of October 2022, and included a parade of more than a hundred characters dressed in traditional costumes synonymous with the City Piazza Armerina.

2. Roping in at least 5 stakeholders (non-governmental organisations, civil society organisations, businesses and public entities) in various activities planned during the twinning event. These included the Palio dei Normanni Piazza Armerina, General Retailers and Traders’ Union (GRTU), the Paceville Commercial Establishments Association (PCEA) and the European Commission Representation in Malta.

3. Exchanging best practices, among involved stakeholders and associate partners and summarising main outcomes across all activities organised during the twinning event in a project summary document.

It is envisioned that all of the above will lead to a multiplier effect, roping in other stakeholders and partners and leading to future cooperation projects between our towns.

How can we be of help?