Apply now for More Inclusive Communities Scheme 2026 (Malta)

Deadline: 17-Apr-2026

The More Inclusive Communities 2026 Scheme in Malta provides funding of up to €10,000 (including VAT) to support innovative community inclusion projects led by eligible voluntary organisations. The scheme promotes volunteerism, disability inclusion, equal opportunities, awareness, participation, and education, with projects running for up to 12 months between 1 September 2026 and 31 August 2027.

To apply, organisations must be registered and compliant with the Office of the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations by the deadline. Projects must align with the National Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disability, actively involve persons with disabilities under the principle of “Nothing About Us, Without Us,” and must not duplicate previously funded or already-supported initiatives.

Overview

The More Inclusive Communities 2026 Scheme is a Malta funding opportunity for voluntary organisations that want to build stronger, more inclusive communities.

The scheme supports innovative local projects that promote:

Inclusion
Equal opportunities
Volunteerism
Community participation
Disability rights awareness
Education and learning

Key Funding Details

Scheme name: More Inclusive Communities 2026
Country: Malta
Target applicants: Voluntary organisations
Maximum grant per project: Up to €10,000 (including VAT)
Total 2026 budget: €250,000
Project duration: Up to 12 consecutive months
Implementation period: 1 September 2026 to 31 August 2027

What Is the More Inclusive Communities 2026 Scheme?

This scheme funds projects that help create inclusive environments where people from different backgrounds and abilities can participate fully in community life.

It is especially focused on projects involving:

Persons with disabilities
Children
Youth
Adults
Elderly persons

The funding is meant for innovative, community-based initiatives that strengthen social inclusion and support active community engagement.

Main Objectives of the Scheme

The scheme has two core goals:

1. Promote Volunteerism in Local Communities

Projects should encourage local people to get involved, contribute, and participate actively in community life.

2. Foster a Culture of Inclusion

Projects should help communities become more inclusive through practical actions, learning, and participation.

Priority Focus Areas

Supported projects should focus on one or more of the following:

Awareness initiatives
Participatory engagement activities
Education or learning initiatives

Why This Scheme Matters

The More Inclusive Communities 2026 Scheme matters because it supports grassroots inclusion projects that can create real social impact in Malta.

It helps organisations:

Build stronger community ties
Promote disability inclusion and equal participation
Encourage volunteering and civic engagement
Support intergenerational and cross-community collaboration
Align local action with national disability rights priorities

It also reinforces the National Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disability by turning policy goals into practical community action.

Who Is Eligible?

Only certain organisations can apply.

Eligible Applicants

To be eligible, applicants must:

Be a registered voluntary organisation
Be compliant with the Office of the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations (OCVO) by the application deadline
Propose an innovative project
Ensure the project is not a repeat of a previously funded initiative
Show clear alignment with the National Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disability

Who Is Not Eligible?

The following are not eligible to apply:

Organisations with active Public Social Partnership (PSP) agreements with the Government of Malta
Organisations with incomplete past projects under the same scheme
Applicants proposing repeated initiatives from previous years
Projects already funded by other national or EU funding sources
Projects that are purely fundraising activities

What Types of Projects Are Supported?

Projects must fall into one or more of these categories:

Eligible Project Types

Awareness projects
Participatory community initiatives
Educational or learning activities

Key Project Requirements

Projects should:

Be innovative
Involve diverse community members
Include persons with disabilities in a meaningful way
Promote equal opportunities
Encourage active participation
Contribute directly to the National Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disability

“Nothing About Us, Without Us” Principle

A central rule of this scheme is the principle:

“Nothing About Us, Without Us.”

This means:

Persons with disabilities should not be passive beneficiaries only
They must be actively involved in project design
They should participate in implementation
Their voices should be reflected in decision-making and outcomes

This is a major evaluation point and should be clearly demonstrated in the proposal.

Funding Amount and Budget Rules

Available Funding

Total scheme budget for 2026: €250,000
Maximum per project: Up to €10,000 including VAT

Budget Requirements

Applicants must submit:

A detailed project budget
At least three quotations for any cost above €100

This is important for procurement transparency and cost justification.

Project Timeline

Projects can last for:

Up to 12 consecutive months

Eligible projects must be implemented within this fixed window:

Start date: 1 September 2026
End date: 31 August 2027

Projects should be planned realistically within this period.

How to Apply

Organisations should prepare a strong and compliant application before the deadline.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Confirm organisational eligibility
- Ensure your voluntary organisation is registered and compliant with the OCVO.
Design an innovative project
- Create a new project, not a repeated or recycled activity from previous years.
Choose the project type
- Make sure the proposal fits under:
  - Awareness
  - Participatory engagement
  - Education or learning
Align with the disability rights strategy
- Clearly explain how the project contributes to the National Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disability.
Apply the “Nothing About Us, Without Us” principle
- Show how persons with disabilities will be involved in planning, delivery, and outcomes.
Prepare a detailed budget
- Include all expected costs.
- Attach three quotations for each expense over €100.
Check ineligible elements
- Remove any activities already funded elsewhere or purely fundraising in nature.
Submit the application before the deadline
- Ensure all documents are complete and compliant.

Tips for a Strong Application

To improve your chances:

Make the project clearly innovative
Show real participation, not symbolic inclusion
Demonstrate measurable community impact
Explain how volunteers will be engaged
Link every activity to the scheme objectives
Provide a clear, realistic budget
Show direct contribution to the National Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disability

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common errors:

Repeating a project funded in earlier years
Failing to prove innovation
Treating persons with disabilities as beneficiaries only, not partners
Submitting weak or incomplete budgets
Forgetting the three quotations rule for costs above €100
Proposing a project already funded by another source
Submitting while having incomplete past projects under the same scheme
Applying despite an active PSP agreement

Suggested Project Structure

A strong proposal can be organised like this:

Project Title and Summary
Community Need or Inclusion Challenge
Target Groups
- Children, youth, adults, elderly persons, persons with disabilities
Project Objectives
Planned Activities
Role of Persons with Disabilities
Volunteer Engagement Plan
Expected Outcomes
Link to National Strategy
Detailed Budget and Quotations
Timeline (within Sept 2026–Aug 2027)

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the More Inclusive Communities 2026 Scheme?

It is a Malta grant scheme that funds innovative inclusion projects by voluntary organisations to promote community participation, volunteerism, disability inclusion, and equal opportunities.

2. How much funding can one project receive?

Each approved project can receive up to €10,000, including VAT.

3. What is the total budget for the scheme?

The total funding available for 2026 is €250,000.

4. Who can apply?

Only registered and compliant voluntary organisations with the Office of the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations by the deadline can apply.

5. What kinds of projects are eligible?

Eligible projects must be innovative and fall under:

Awareness initiatives
Participatory engagement activities
Educational or learning initiatives

They must also support the National Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disability.

6. What projects are not eligible?

Not eligible are:

Projects already funded by national or EU sources
Fundraising-only projects
Repeated projects from previous years
Applications from organisations with incomplete past projects
Organisations with active Public Social Partnership agreements

7. What is the project implementation period?

Projects can run for up to 12 consecutive months, between 1 September 2026 and 31 August 2027.

Conclusion

The More Inclusive Communities 2026 Scheme is an important Malta funding opportunity for voluntary organisations working on inclusion, disability rights, community engagement, and volunteerism.

With up to €10,000 per project and a total budget of €250,000, the scheme supports innovative, participatory, and educational projects that create meaningful social impact. To succeed, applicants should focus on innovation, genuine disability inclusion, strong community participation, and full compliance with budget and eligibility rules.

For more information, visit Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector.