Central Link appeal crowdfunding target reached in less than 24 hours

The crowdfunding campaign organised by a number of NGOs to fund an appeal against the hotly-debated Central Link project permit has been successful, with the required €20,000 being raised in less than 24 hours.

“The figure of €20,000 to challenge the Central Link project in legal arenas has been successfully crowdfunded in less than 24 hours,” NGOs and the Attard Residents Environmental Network (AREN) said on Tuesday night.

Hailing this result as a record, the NGOs and AREN stated that, “Today, residents and common citizens have shown that the opposition to this project is far more widespread than government has expected, especially from the residents of the affected areas.”

Recently, the Planning Authority approved the controversial Central Link project, which that would see over 500 trees being uprooted, a number of which are protected species.

The project would also take up around 45,000 square metres of agricultural land, and would also result in over 1,000 residents effectively living in a centre strip between two main roads, protestors had argued.

“We’re overwhelmed by the support that we have received from the people over the last hours and by their encouraging messages,” the NGOs said in a joint statement.

The NGOs have said that now they will be discussing the next steps with their legal team with a view to mounting the necessary legal challenges. “Donations will continue to be received from those willing to contribute to this cause.”

The NGOs involved include: Bicycle Advocacy Group , BirdLife Malta , Din l-Art Ħelwa, Friends of the Earth Malta, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, Futur Ambjent Wieħed, Għaqda Bdiewa Attivi, Għaqda Siġar Maltin, Isles of the Left Malta, Youth in Agriculture Foundation, Moviment Graffitti, Nature Trust Malta and the Archaeological Society Malta.