Interview with Antoine Galea; Founder, Beesavers Malta
Beesavers, an NGO established in Malta in 2014, has embarked on an ambitious mission with its latest initiative, Project Heal. Spearheaded by Antoine Galea, the project aims to tackle Malta’s pressing development issues through large scale afforestation measures — an innovative approach inspired by the principles of natural ecosystems.
Through this endeavour, Beesavers not only seeks to restore balance to the environment but also highlights the vital role of bees in sustaining Malta’s biodiversity.
This interview unpacks the essence of Project Heal and why Malta’s stakeholders should rally behind this cause.
Cntoine Galea’s journey to founding BeeSavers and Project Heal is as inspiring as it is transformative. Having spent a year in India and Nepal during his formative years, he fell in love with agriculture and pursued extensive studies in the field. Malta’s challenging landscape for small-scale agriculture led him to pivot into landscaping, where he could still work closely with nature. “Beesavers started with a focus on urban swarms,” Galea explains. “In spring, bees swarm to create colonies, and when they’re trapped in urban environments—like ventilators or car mudguards—we step in to save and relocate them into the wild. Over time, we noticed a troubling trend: even when left undisturbed, bees were dying of hunger due to a lack of foraging areas. That realisation led us to focus on afforestation as the key to bee conservation.” This epiphany birthed Project Heal, which launched in Q1 2025.
“Malta ranks as one of the least afforested countries in Europe, with only 0.9% of its landmass covered by forests. Through Project Heal, Galea and his team aspire to double this figure to 1.8% over the next 10 to 15 years”
MALTA’S DIRE AFFORESTATION CRISIS
Malta ranks as one of the least afforested countries in Europe, with only 0.9% of its landmass covered by forests. Through Project Heal, Galea and his team aspire to double this figure to 1.8% over the next 10 to 15 years. “This translates to planting approximately 177,000 trees,” Galea says. “While it’s still a modest target, it’s a significant step forward and a solid foundation for future efforts.” Galea emphasises that the 1.8% target is an aspirational figure developed by Project Heal and not mandated by any EU association. However, he is confident that the government, along with other like-minded individuals and organisations, will eventually adopt and expand upon this vision. “Nature, once established, takes care of itself.
Within five years, these trees will become self-sustaining, creating new ecologies that require minimal human intervention,” he notes. The Role of Permaculture in Project Heal Permaculture is central to Project Heal’s methodology. By mimicking the arrangements found in natural ecosystems, permaculture minimises energy use and human intervention. The focus is on planting trees that are beneficial for bees, such as Myrtle, Judas, Carob, and Chaste trees. These species produce nectar and pollen, ensuring a consistent food source for bees even during Malta’s increasingly arid summers.
“Within five years, these trees will become selfsustaining, creating new ecologies that require minimal human intervention”
We’re not interested in ornamental trees or species that offer no ecological benefit,” Galea clarifies. “Our goal is to create a sustainable habitat for bees and other pollinators, which, in turn, supports broader biodiversity.”
A THREE-PRONGED APPROACH TO LAND UTILISATION
Project Heal relies on three key sources for land:
Private Landowners
Landowners can collaborate with Project Heal by allowing afforestation on their properties. “Landowners having expanses of ‘ODZ’ land can sign a ‘comodatum’ agreement to the NGO wherein the land remains of the owner, but the owner gives freedom to the NGO to use land in order to enact this project. Hence, large chunks of land can be efficiently attributed to the ‘cause’ – further safeguarding ODZ lands, and this indirectly benefits landowners and their progeny, as well as the public at large.
The NGO offers flexibility regarding public access and tree species selection. Galea believes this partnership benefits landowners’ Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) profiles and public image. “Once something becomes part of the greater good, it’s unlikely to be taken away,” he asserts. Landowners also have the satisfaction of knowing they are directly contributing to environmental restoration and sustainable development.
Farmers
Farmers struggling with high operational costs can partner with Project Heal to plant bee-friendly, agriculturally beneficial trees. These partnerships not only reduce farmers’ expenses but also open up opportunities for agri-tourism and alternative revenue streams. For instance, Carob trees are also known as St John’s bread, as during adverse times they were a staple food – both for people and livestock. Indeed, this tree results in produce for livestock feed, or natural sweeteners, which are in demand both locally and internationally. Additionally, integrating afforestation with agriculture can improve soil health, reduce erosion, and enhance microclimates, making farms more resilient to climate change.
“integrating afforestation with agriculture can improve soil health, reduce erosion, and enhance microclimates, making farms more resilient to climate change”
Public Lands and Crowdfunding
Through crowdfunding, Beesavers aims to maintain and enact trees, as well as to also purchase land for afforestation. “The major apportionment of such funds would be geared towards afforestation implementation more so than to land acquisition” Galea clarifies.
Transparency and accountability are paramount, with 90% of funds allocated directly to planting and maintaining trees. This approach allows the public to take ownership of the initiative, fostering a sense of community and shared responsibility. “We’re not just planting trees and cutting ribbons. We ensure the trees are cared for until they’re self-sufficient,” Galea emphasises. Public lands also offer the potential for creating accessible green spaces, enriching urban areas and providing a refuge for both wildlife and people
Pilot Project in Mosta
Project Heal’s pilot initiative in Mosta involves planting 500 trees on a site provided by Green Living, an organization committed to outdoor education. The project showcases sustainable practices, such as gravity-fed irrigation systems that eliminate the need for electricity. “This pilot will demonstrate the feasibility and efficiency of our approach,” Galea states. While up to a few years ago, the blinds were imported from abroad, with demand increasing exponentially, their place in the market became obvious as did their need to shift to direct manufacture. “It was only in this manner that we could have further enhanced our quick availability of product, detailed custom fittings and control over cost and quality alike” Lee passionately explained. “This was also essential to be able to adhere to our tight deadlines, which is a matter of huge importance to our ‘project customers’ in particular, and hence to us,” he said. The company hence can and does keep sizeable stocks so that it can service rushed orders too. “We make sure that we keep very competitive prices,” insisted Mr Gauci, explaining that their economies of scale facilitate the company’s capacity of maintaining an enviable balance between quality and good pricing. This is a clear indicator of how dominant Big Ben Interiors is in the Maltese market.
“afforestation enhances the beauty and value of Malta’s landscapes. Developers, too, stand to gain as greener surroundings can significantly increase property values”
Suzie Samut Tagliaferro is collaborating extensively with Antoine Galea on this pilot project. Suzie completed her BA in Landscape Architecture and Design at Kingston University in 2014. and she designs and works alongside local designers and architects in successfully completing a large variety of landscaping projects. Galea, in turn, has over a decade of experience in natural systems and landscaping, through the establishment of his landscaping enterprise: Garland Malta. This assures Beesavers and hence Project HEAL of extensive thought and effective planning in their planting methodology – thus conducted in an intelligent, naturalistic and structured manner. Together, they aim to inspire other stakeholders to contribute to the cause.
Why Afforestation Matters Galea is passionate about the multifaceted benefits of afforestation. “Trees are the apex of nature,” he says. “They combat desertification, reduce urban heat, and improve mental and physical health. Studies have shown that people disconnected from nature are more prone to stress, depression, and health issues.” In addition to supporting biodiversity, afforestation enhances the beauty and value of Malta’s landscapes. Developers, too, stand to gain as greener surroundings can significantly increase property values.
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