MEP Thomas Bajada has launched the Economy of Wellbeing: Bridging the Gap, a study aiming to reshape economic policies by focusing on sustainability and inclusivity. The initiative calls for policies driven by environmental, social, and economic priorities, combining scientific research with public input.

Bajada stressed that the economy should serve people, not the other way around. He explained that the study will gather data and opinions from various sectors to create policies addressing community needs. Families, organisations, and young people are key to this dialogue, he said, as their involvement will help shape a fairer, more sustainable future.

The project seeks to bridge the divide between short-term growth models and those that prioritise long-term resilience by putting human and environmental values first. Economist Lawrence Zammit will lead the quantitative analysis, with Sociologist Justin Attard focusing on the qualitative aspect.

Civil society representatives, including the Chamber of Commerce, Gozo Business Chamber, and BirdLife Malta, shared ideas during the launch. Bajada closed with a call for widespread collaboration, urging all who share this vision to contribute. He emphasised the need for fact-based policies over polarisation or short-term thinking.