Scouts & Guides
Scouts and Guides for the Goals is an initiative that connects the values of scouting and guiding with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It supports young people in understanding global challenges and taking meaningful action within their communities and natural environments.
Building on the strong tradition of service, leadership and community involvement within scouting and guiding, the initiative encourages participants to become active citizens and changemakers. Scouts and Guides for the Goals combines learning, reflection and community action, encouraging participants to move from understanding the SDGs to actively contributing towards them.
Why Scouts
and Guides?
Scouting and guiding movements are uniquely placed to promote sustainable development because they:
- encourage practical, hands-on learning;
- foster responsibility, teamwork and leadership; and
- are deeply rooted in community service and outdoor education.
Scouts and guides already live many of the values promoted by the SDGs. This initiative helps connect those values to a global framework for action, showing how local efforts contribute to wider SDGs.
How it
Works
Step 1: Assigning of SDGs
- 17 scout groups or guide units are selected to participate.
- Each group or unit is assigned one of the 17 UN SDGs.
- Scouts and Guides receive SDG-themed materials linked to their assigned goal, helping scouts and guides build a strong connection to their topic.
Step 2: Learning the SDGs
Following the assignment of SDGs, scouts and guides:
- explore their assigned SDG through projects and initiatives;
- learn about global sustainability challenges and local relevance;
- receive guidance and educational resources to support understanding and planning.
Step 3: Celebrating Sustainability and Impact
The programme concludes with:
- an SDG Scavenger Hunt, and
- scout and guide presentations, where each group/unit showcases its SDG project.
During the presentations, scouts/guides explain:
- the SDG they worked on,
- the problem they addressed,
- the action taken and the impact achieved.
Launched in March 2026, the Scouts and Guides for the Goals initiative brought together 13 scout groups and girl guide units from across Malta and Gozo in a dynamic fusion of fun, learning and sustainability. Each group/unit was assigned one or two of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and proudly represented it through specially branded SDG woggles, fostering both identity and purpose from the outset.
Running until September 2026, the Sustainable Development Division collaborate closely with participating groups and units, providing tailored resources, guidance and support to help scouts, guides and leaders explore their assigned SDGs and develop meaningful projects within their communities.
A key highlight of the initiative took place on 5 September 2026, when participating groups came together for an interactive SDG-themed scavenger hunt around Valletta and Floriana. Working in teams, scouts and guides followed a series of clues that led them to landmarks and institutions throughout Valletta and Floriana, while completing challenges linked to the Sustainable Development Goals. The activity encouraged teamwork, problem-solving and critical thinking, while providing participants with a fun and engaging opportunity to learn about sustainability in a real-world setting.
The initiative culminated on 26 September 2026 with a final showcase event during which participating groups and units presented the projects and activities they had undertaken throughout the campaign. Demonstrating creativity, innovation and commitment, participants shared how they had explored their assigned SDGs and translated awareness into action within their groups and local communities. The presentations highlighted a diverse range of initiatives and reflected the enthusiasm, leadership and sense of responsibility shown by young people in advancing sustainable development.
| SDG | School | Project Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 and 2 | 1st Sliema Scout Group (Bernard’s Own) | From Rice to Riches |
Scouts explored poverty and hunger through hands-on activities involving rice that highlighted wealth inequality and the importance of nutritious, affordable food. Participants learned about responsible resource allocation and gained insight into how governments manage budgets to meet national needs.
|
| 3 | Santa Venera Scout Group | Project Zen: Wellness Hub | The project promoted healthy lifestyles by encouraging nutritious eating, physical activity and positive mental wellbeing through a range of community-focused initiatives. Activities included healthy recipe sharing, sports and games for all ages, awareness campaigns, and a Community Tree initiative that fostered solidarity and wellbeing. |
| 4 and 8 | Marsa Scout Group | Learning Today, Working Tomorrow | Scouts connected practical learning with skills for future careers through a series of hands-on activities. Scouts learned different trades from skilled professionals, applied practical skills themselves in a camp setting, and then became teachers by passing Scouting skills on to other young people by teaching SkolaSajf students skills such as how to use a map and compass, knots, first aid, tent pitching, fire safety and burns awareness. |
| 5 and 10 | Fgura Scout Group | Bridging the Gap | Scouts led interactive discussions, debates and activities to raise awareness about gender equality and reduced inequalities. Through reflection and participation, scouts were encouraged to challenge unfair treatment, celebrate diversity and promote inclusion within their troop and wider community. |
| 6 | Mtarfa Scout Group | PureFlow: Every Drop Counts | During summer camp, scouts built a simple water filtration system using natural materials to learn about clean water and sanitation. They also produced and shared a five-episode podcast series on social media, raising awareness about different aspects of sustainable water management. |
| 7 | Mosta Girl Guides | Clean and Affordable Energy | Girl Guides explored the importance of clean and affordable energy through creative activities and engaging discussions. Participants reflected on how simple actions in their everyday lives can contribute to a more sustainable energy future. |
| 9 | 25th Qormi Girl Guides | Future Builders – Dream It, Build It, Change the World | The Future Builders project introduced girl guides to SDG 9 through a dedicated camp featuring hands-on challenges that encouraged innovation, creativity, teamwork and problem-solving. By designing, building and exploring real-world solutions, participants were inspired to become future thinkers and changemakers capable of contributing to a more sustainable future. |
| 11 | Attard Girl Guides | Sustainable City Camp: Building Our Future Community | Guides explored SDG 11 by examining their local area, identifying challenges related to safety, accessibility and inclusion, and developing practical solutions. Their findings were shared with the Local Council, empowering the girls to turn their ideas into real community action while developing teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills. |
| 12 | Żurrieq Scout Group | Sustainable Scouting – From Waste to Resource | Scouts explored responsible consumption and production through practical activities focused on reducing waste, reusing materials and making more sustainable everyday choices. Through sustainable cooking, campsite management and creative reuse projects, participants learned how small actions can help create a more sustainable future. |
| 13 and 15 | Victoria Scout Group | Protecting Gozo Today for Tomorrow | Scouts undertook a range of environmental initiatives linked to SDGs 13 and 15, including creating wildlife water stations, planting indigenous trees to create a roof garden at their Headquaters, identifying local flora and fauna, and taking part in environmental clean-ups and nature walks. Through these hands-on activities, participants developed a deeper appreciation for biodiversity, conservation and the importance of protecting natural habitats. |
| 14 | Żebbug Scout Group | Under the Sea | Scouts raised awareness about marine conservation and life below water through creative projects, educational talks, beach clean-ups and community outreach activities. By learning from marine experts, creating sea creature displays and supporting younger members, participants developed a greater appreciation for protecting marine ecosystems and coastal environments. |
| 16 | Naxxar Scout Group | Give Me a Chance | The “Give Me a Chance” project explored Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions through art, games and role-play activities that encouraged scouts to reflect on fairness, inclusion and justice. Scouts created canvases that were exhibited locally and presented to the President of Malta, while also engaging younger members through interactive activities that brought SDG 16 principles to life. |
| 17 | Birżebbuġa Scout Group | Spread Joy not Litter | Scouts led a community clean-up along the Birżebbuġa Promenade, working with the Local Council, parents, leaders and local residents to promote environmental responsibility and improve a shared public space. Together they collected litter, raising awareness about the impact of waste and demonstrating how collective action can create positive change in the community. |
