Deadline: 07-Jul-2026
The President’s Fund for Creativity is a Malta-based cultural funding programme supporting inclusive, community-focused arts projects that engage marginalized and under-reached groups in Malta and Gozo. It promotes collaboration between artists and social/community organizations to strengthen participation, wellbeing, and social inclusion through creative expression. The fund offers up to €30,000 per project, with a total budget of €150,000 and project durations of 12–24 months.
Overview
The President’s Fund for Creativity is jointly managed by the Office of the President of Malta and Arts Council Malta as part of the Arts Council Malta 2030 Strategy. It supports participatory arts initiatives that use creativity as a tool for social inclusion, community development, and cultural engagement.
The programme encourages projects that:
- Strengthen community bonds through arts
- Increase cultural participation across Malta and Gozo
- Promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging
- Support wellbeing and social regeneration through creative practice
Core Objectives
The fund focuses on improving cultural and social outcomes through arts-based engagement:
Cultural Participation and Access
- Expanding access to arts and cultural experiences
- Increasing participation in cultural life across communities
- Reaching underserved and marginalized populations
Community Engagement and Inclusion
- Building meaningful connections between artists and communities
- Engaging hard-to-reach groups through creative methods
- Supporting safe, inclusive spaces for expression
Diversity, Equity, and Social Impact
- Promoting cultural diversity in programming
- Supporting inclusion and non-discrimination in the arts
- Strengthening social cohesion through creativity
Sustainable Cultural Development
- Encouraging long-term community development
- Supporting regeneration through arts and culture
- Aligning with sustainable cultural policy objectives
Project Types Supported
The fund supports two main types of initiatives:
- Pilot projects
- New experimental community arts initiatives
- Innovative participatory models
- Development of existing projects
- Scaling or improving successful initiatives
- Expanding reach or impact of established programmes
Partnership Requirements
Applicants must collaborate to ensure meaningful community engagement:
- Mandatory collaboration between at least two parties
- Arts organization or artist
- Social/community development organization or individual professional
- Strong emphasis on:
- Cross-sector collaboration
- Shared design and delivery of projects
- High artistic and ethical standards
- Safe and respectful engagement with participants
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible applicants include:
- Entities registered with the Malta Business Registry
- Voluntary organizations registered with the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations
- Cooperatives
- Educational institutions
- Public institutions
- Groups and collectives
- Individual artists and creative practitioners
Additional Requirements
- Applicants must operate in:
- Arts and culture sector, OR
- Social and community development sector
- Representatives must be:
- Maltese citizens, OR
- Holders of Maltese residence permits, citizenship certificates, or passports
Funding Structure
- Total programme budget: €150,000
- Maximum grant per project: €30,000
- Project duration: 12 to 24 months
- Funding availability subject to government allocation
State Aid vs Non-State Aid Options
The programme offers two funding pathways:
- State Aid Option
- Applies to economic activities
- Governed under EU Article 107 TFEU (de minimis rules)
- Non-State Aid Option
- Applies to non-economic, community-focused activities
- Typically used for social and cultural projects
Evaluation and Selection Process
Applications undergo a structured review:
- Technical eligibility screening
- Artistic quality assessment
- Evaluation of community impact
- Assessment of inclusion and accessibility outcomes
- Review of collaboration strength and feasibility
Key Principles and Expectations
Applicants are expected to align with:
- Fair employment and working conditions
- Accessibility and inclusion standards
- Cultural rights principles
- Ethical and non-discriminatory practices
- Artistic freedom and intellectual property respect
- Sustainable public investment principles
- Guidance from:
- Right to Culture resources
- Charter for the Status of Artists
Why This Fund Matters
The President’s Fund for Creativity strengthens Malta’s cultural and social ecosystem by:
- Increasing access to arts for marginalized communities
- Using creativity to address social inequality
- Strengthening community wellbeing and cohesion
- Encouraging inclusive cultural participation in Malta and Gozo
- Supporting long-term sustainable cultural development
- Bridging arts and social sectors through collaboration
Application Guidance (How to Build a Strong Proposal)
Successful applications typically demonstrate:
- Clear identification of target communities
- Strong artist-community collaboration model
- Evidence of inclusion and accessibility planning
- Well-defined social or cultural impact outcomes
- Realistic project timeline (12–24 months)
- Strong ethical and participatory design approach
- Clear budget aligned with €30,000 maximum limit
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Weak or unclear community engagement strategy
- Missing required collaboration partner
- Lack of focus on marginalized or under-reached groups
- Poor alignment with inclusion and accessibility principles
- Unclear distinction between State Aid and Non-State Aid route
- Overly artistic focus without community impact evidence
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the President’s Fund for Creativity?
It is a Malta-based funding programme supporting inclusive, community-focused arts and cultural projects.
Who can apply?
Registered organizations, collectives, institutions, and individual artists based in Malta or holding valid Maltese residency or citizenship status.
What is the maximum funding available?
Up to €30,000 per project.
What is the total fund budget?
€150,000 for the funding cycle.
How long can projects last?
Between 12 and 24 months.
Is collaboration required?
Yes, applicants must collaborate with another organization or professional.
What is the main goal of the fund?
To strengthen inclusion, community development, and wellbeing through participatory arts and cultural engagement.
Conclusion
The President’s Fund for Creativity is a strategic cultural initiative that uses arts and creative collaboration to promote inclusion, wellbeing, and community development across Malta and Gozo. By prioritizing marginalized communities and cross-sector partnerships, it strengthens cultural participation while advancing social cohesion and sustainable cultural growth.
For more information, visit Arts Council Malta.