BCThubs Project runner-up in the Public Service Sustainability Award 

The Sustainable Development Directorate within the Ministry for the Environment, Energy and Public Cleanliness presented the inaugural Sustainable Development Action Awards on Friday 10 October, recognising outstanding achievements in sustainability throughout Malta. 

The awards were organised with the support of the Ministry for Culture, Lands and Local Government, the Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation, the Parliamentary Secretariat for Youth, Research and Innovation, and the Environment and Resources Authority. 

The BCThubs project, an EU-funded project, was awarded second prize within the Public Service Sustainability Awarded, recognising this project as a leader in sustainable innovation and practices with the aim of increasing economic, social and environmental sustainability.   

BCThubs is a consortium of 15 partners in Malta,  Greece and Bulgaria which are developing Hubs that support new innovative solutions and products to ensure the sustainable protection, restoration, valorisation, management, accessibility, and promotion of UWCH. The Superintendence of Cultural Heritage, along with the Insitute of Tourism Studies, AquaBioTech and DAN Europe, form the Malta Hub.  

This cross-border collaboration is bringing together regional/national and international actors related to Blue Culture and Underwater Cultural Heritage (UWCH), including research/academia, businesses, public sector, and societal actors all working towards raising innovation excellence in the development of a sustainable Blue Economy/Culture. The aim will be to replicate these hubs world-wide and provide innovative,  cost-effective, and easily deployable advanced technology to protect UWCH including those affected by climate change and anthropogenic factors, increase diver safety, and promote public accessibility. 

This award highlights the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage’s continued commitment to advancing research and innovation that contribute to a more sustainable future.