Project Green sponsors St Patrick's Day street party hosted by CEO's son

Project Green has defended its decision to sponsor a St Patrick's Day street party hosted by its chief executive's son. 

The national agency, which is responsible for creating green spaces around Malta, is one of around 20 sponsors of the annual event in St Julian's.

Thousands of people attend the event every year, which involves a full street takeover and dozens of road closures.

Advertisements for the party in front of Big G's and Quencher's bars say it is being hosted by "David and Mizzi G".

An advert for the event taking place on Thursday.

David Cuschieri, 25, is a medical doctor and one of the two main DJs in the event and jointly provides the full line up of DJs taking part. He is the son of Joseph Cuschieri, who has been the head of Project Green since 2024. 

Reusable cups

Asked about the potential conflict of interest, Project Green said its sponsorship "will go directly towards the purchasing of branded reusable cups". 

It said it had also supported the initiative last year.

"Project Green is informed that Dr David Cuschieri’s involvement is limited to being a host DJ, among other hosting DJs invited for the event," it said. 

David Cuschieri told Times of Malta the host of the event is Quencher's Bar, under which all the permits and risk assessments were issued.

"Myself and Gabriel Mizzi, who are the main DJs of the event, are offering our service and providing a line-up of DJs to thousands of attendees attending, and my role was limited to providing such services," he said.

"Marketing was handled by Lovin Malta as the main media partner of the event."

He said the Project Green reusable cups sponsorship was "a sustainable initiative, which all bars around the perimeter have participated in and will definitely benefit the outcome of the event".

Project Green is one of three government entities collaborating in the event alongside Transport Malta, whose collaboration and advertisements have focused around an anti-drink driving campaign, and Cleansing Malta, which is involved in clean-up operations.

The street party has also received significant promotion on social media including videos from Transport Minister Chris Bonett, Environment Minister Miriam Dalli and parliamentary secretary Glenn Bedingfield appearing to  encourage the use of reusable cups, and to not drink and drive. 

Dramatic spending increase

A recent parliamentary question revealed how Project Green's spending on activities increased by 1,300% from €12,824 in 2024 to €180,528 in 2025. 

Project Green is a government agency responsible for developing and maintaining public open spaces, including parks and urban greening projects across Malta and Gozo. 

A Times of Malta analysis in September 2024 showed the agency’s track record on completing projects has so far been mixed. 

Several of its landmark projects are stuck in the limbo of planning and procurement red tape, with other completed projects sometimes going under the radar, leading many to wonder when the promised green spaces would materialise. 

At the time, the agency said it planned to complete another 25 projects this year and would kick off complex procurement procedures for slower-burn projects like the long-touted Santa Venera roof garden. 

Road closures

Tuesday's street party event, which begins at 4pm on Tuesday attracts thousands of people celebrating Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland.

Roads that will be closed throughout the day are:

• St George’s Road
• George Borg Olivier Street
• Ross Street
• St Andrew’s Road
• Mikiel Ang Borg Street
• Wied Għomor Street
• Sacred Heart Square in Spinola
• Tigulio Car Park
•  Spinola Street
•  Paceville Street
•  Church Street
•  Qaliet Street
•  Luigi Apap Street
•  Sections of Main Street