Deadline: 07-Jul-2026
The President’s Fund for Creativity in Malta supports collaborative arts and cultural projects that strengthen community well-being, inclusion, and cultural participation. It offers up to €30,000 per project (covering up to 80% of eligible costs) within a total €150,000 programme budget, with project durations of 12–24 months. The fund prioritises work with marginalised groups, participatory arts, social cohesion, and creative practices that improve cultural access and diversity.
The President’s Fund for Creativity is a Maltese funding initiative designed to strengthen social cohesion and cultural engagement through collaborative artistic and creative projects. It supports initiatives that connect artists with communities, particularly those who are marginalised or have limited access to cultural participation.
The programme promotes participatory arts, inclusive cultural expression, and community-driven creative practices that reflect the diversity of Maltese society, including both Malta and Gozo.
Purpose and Strategic Goals
The main purpose of the fund is to use creative and artistic engagement as a tool for social development, inclusion, and community well-being. It aims to ensure that cultural participation is accessible to all segments of society, especially underrepresented groups.
Key goals include increasing cultural participation across Malta and Gozo, strengthening collaboration between artists and communities, and promoting diversity in cultural programming. It also focuses on improving representation in cultural expression, fostering social cohesion, and supporting sustainable development through creative practices.
Another important objective is to build trust and dialogue within communities through safe, inclusive spaces for artistic expression.
Key Focus Areas
The programme supports a broad range of cultural and social priorities through arts-based engagement.
Core focus areas include:
- Increasing cultural participation across Malta and Gozo
- Strengthening engagement between artists and local communities
- Promoting diversity and inclusion in cultural programming
- Enhancing representation of Maltese society in creative expression
- Supporting participatory and community-based arts practices
- Strengthening social cohesion and community well-being
- Advancing cultural rights and access to creative expression
- Supporting engagement with marginalised or underrepresented groups
- Encouraging pilot projects and innovative cultural initiatives
- Scaling up previously tested community-based creative programmes
Funding Structure
The programme provides financial support for collaborative cultural and creative projects with a clear social impact focus.
Funding details include:
- Total programme budget: €150,000
- Maximum grant per project: €30,000
- Funding coverage: up to 80% of eligible project costs
- Project duration: 12 to 24 months
Applicants are expected to secure the remaining co-funding if required and demonstrate financial feasibility.
Eligible Costs
The fund supports a wide range of direct and indirect costs related to project delivery and artistic engagement.
Eligible costs include:
- Artists’ fees and creative practitioner payments
- Project production and management costs
- Venue and space rental
- Communication, outreach, and audience engagement
- Travel and transport expenses
- Insurance and legal services
- Translation and linguistic support
- Equipment necessary for project delivery
- Other direct or indirect costs linked to implementation
Ineligible Costs
Certain expenses are excluded from funding to ensure alignment with cultural and social objectives.
Ineligible costs include:
- Debt repayment or financial liabilities
- Subsistence or hospitality expenses
- Retroactive or previously incurred costs
- Activities outside cultural or creative scope
Who Is Eligible
Eligibility is open to a broad range of cultural and social development actors, provided they are properly registered or legally recognised in Malta.
Eligible applicants include:
- Individual creative practitioners (in collaboration, not alone)
- Registered cultural organisations
- Collectives and cooperatives
- Educational institutions
- Public institutions
- Voluntary organisations
- Other entities engaged in cultural or social development
Eligibility requirements:
- Must be based in Malta or hold Maltese citizenship/residency
- Individual applications in a personal capacity are not allowed
- Applicants must meet registration and compliance requirements
- Must have no outstanding issues with previous funding obligations
How the Programme Works
The programme follows a structured model focused on community engagement and cultural impact.
Step 1: Project Design
Applicants develop a collaborative cultural project involving communities and artists.
Step 2: Partnership Building
Projects must include meaningful engagement with target communities, especially marginalised groups.
Step 3: Application Submission
Applicants submit project plans, budgets, and expected cultural and social outcomes.
Step 4: Evaluation Process
Proposals are assessed based on inclusivity, cultural impact, community participation, and feasibility.
Step 5: Implementation
Funded projects are carried out over 12–24 months with active community involvement.
Step 6: Reporting and Outcomes
Projects must demonstrate measurable impact in cultural participation, inclusion, and social cohesion.
Why the Programme Matters
The President’s Fund for Creativity plays a key role in promoting cultural inclusion and social cohesion in Malta. It ensures that artistic expression is not limited to traditional institutions but extends into communities that are often excluded from cultural life.
By supporting participatory and community-based arts, the programme strengthens identity, belonging, and social dialogue. It also contributes to long-term cultural development by encouraging collaboration between artists and communities and promoting equitable access to cultural opportunities.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applications may be weakened by:
- Lack of meaningful community participation
- Weak focus on marginalised or underrepresented groups
- Insufficient explanation of cultural or social impact
- Applying as an individual without collaboration
- Unrealistic budgets or missing co-funding plans
- Poorly defined project outcomes
- Inclusion of ineligible cost categories
Tips for a Strong Application
Strong applications demonstrate clear social and cultural value.
Key recommendations include:
- Clearly define target communities and their needs
- Emphasise participation and co-creation with communities
- Demonstrate strong inclusion and accessibility strategies
- Show how the project improves cultural participation
- Include experienced artists and facilitators
- Provide a realistic and well-structured budget
- Clearly explain expected social and cultural outcomes
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of the fund?
- To support community well-being through creative and cultural engagement
- To promote inclusion and cultural participation across Malta and Gozo
- To strengthen social cohesion through arts-based practices
What is the funding amount available?
- Total programme budget: €150,000
- Maximum grant per project: €30,000
- Covers up to 80% of eligible costs
What is the project duration?
- Minimum duration: 12 months
- Maximum duration: 24 months
- Projects must demonstrate sustained community engagement
Who can apply?
- Registered organisations, collectives, and institutions in Malta
- Creative practitioners working in collaboration
- Public, educational, and voluntary organisations
- Applicants must be based in Malta or hold Maltese residency/citizenship
What types of costs are covered?
- Artist fees and production costs
- Venue and equipment rental
- Outreach and communication activities
- Travel, insurance, and legal services
- Translation and project support costs
What costs are not eligible?
- Debt repayment
- Hospitality and subsistence expenses
- Retroactive costs
- Non-cultural or unrelated activities
Why is community participation important?
- It ensures cultural inclusion for marginalised groups
- It strengthens social cohesion and trust
- It improves the relevance and impact of creative projects
Conclusion
The President’s Fund for Creativity supports inclusive and collaborative cultural projects that strengthen community well-being and cultural participation across Malta. By prioritising participatory arts and engagement with marginalised communities, the programme fosters social cohesion, cultural diversity, and meaningful creative expression.
For more information, visit Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector.
