Open Call for International Participation Scheme (Malta)

The International Participation Scheme supports Maltese and Malta-based artists and cultural operators to present their work internationally and participate in global cultural activities. The scheme promotes international mobility, artistic exposure, professional development, networking, and cultural collaboration through support for activities such as festivals, exhibitions, conferences, residencies, performances, films, and international fairs.

What Is the International Participation Scheme?

The International Participation Scheme is designed to help artists and cultural operators from Malta participate in the international cultural and creative sector.

The scheme enables eligible applicants to take their artistic work and cultural productions to audiences and professional networks outside Malta.

It supports international engagement that can help applicants:

Increase international visibility.
Present artistic and cultural work abroad.
Develop professional skills.
Build international networks.
Establish creative partnerships.
Participate in global cultural events.
Access new audiences and markets.

What Activities Does the Scheme Support?

The scheme supports a broad range of international cultural and artistic participation.

Eligible activities can include:

Festivals
Exhibitions
Artistic shows and performances
Films and film-related activities
Networking events
Conferences
Artist residencies
International fairs
Other relevant international cultural engagements

The activity should provide a meaningful opportunity for the applicant to present, develop, or promote their artistic or cultural practice internationally.

Why Does International Participation Matter?

International mobility can help artists and cultural professionals expand beyond their local creative ecosystems.

Participation in international events can provide opportunities to:

Reach international audiences.
Exchange knowledge with artists from other countries.
Develop new artistic and professional skills.
Create international collaborations.
Discover new cultural markets.
Strengthen professional networks.
Increase recognition of Maltese cultural production.

For Malta-based artists and cultural operators, international participation can therefore contribute to both individual career development and the wider international visibility of Malta’s cultural sector.

Who Is Eligible?

The scheme is open to Maltese citizens and eligible Malta-based applicants who meet the applicable requirements.

Eligible individuals may include:

Maltese citizens.
Holders of a Maltese residence permit.
Holders of a Maltese citizenship certificate.
Holders of a Maltese passport.
Individual artists.
Creative professionals.

Eligible organisations and collective applicants can include:

Entities registered with the Malta Business Registry.
Groups.
Collectives.
Consortia.
Registered cooperatives.
Voluntary organisations enrolled with the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations.

What Is Expected From Applicants?

Applicants should demonstrate that their proposed international activity is relevant to their artistic or cultural practice.

A strong application should clearly explain:

What international opportunity the applicant will participate in.
Where and when the activity will take place.
How the activity relates to the applicant’s work.
What professional or artistic benefits are expected.
How the participation will contribute to international exposure or collaboration.

Right to Culture and Cultural Rights

Applicants are encouraged to consider the Right to Culture – Resource Pack when developing their proposals.

The resource promotes the implementation of cultural rights and encourages inclusive approaches to cultural participation.

This can help applicants consider how their international activities relate to:

Cultural accessibility.
Inclusion.
Participation.
Equal opportunities.
Respect for cultural rights.

Charter for the Status of Artists

Applicants are also encouraged to consider the Charter for the Status of Artists.

The Charter promotes principles relevant to professional artistic practice, including:

Decent working conditions.
Artistic freedom.
Accessibility.
Ethical professional standards.
International labour principles.
Intellectual property rights.

Considering these principles can help applicants develop proposals that support responsible and sustainable artistic careers.

How the International Participation Scheme Works

Step 1: Identify an International Opportunity

Identify a relevant festival, exhibition, conference, residency, fair, performance, networking event, film activity, or other international cultural opportunity.

Step 2: Confirm Your Eligibility

Determine whether you qualify as:

A Maltese citizen.
An eligible Malta-based individual.
An eligible creative professional.
A registered organisation.
A collective, consortium, cooperative, or voluntary organisation meeting the relevant requirements.

Step 3: Define the Purpose of Participation

Clearly explain why participating internationally is important for your artistic or cultural practice.

For example, the activity may provide opportunities for:

International presentation.
Professional development.
Networking.
Collaboration.
Audience development.
Artistic exchange.

Step 4: Prepare Your Proposal

Describe the international activity and explain the expected artistic and professional outcomes.

Include relevant information about the event, host organisation, location, dates, and your role in the activity.

Step 5: Demonstrate Cultural and Professional Value

Explain how the proposed participation contributes to international cultural exchange and supports your professional development.

Applicants should also consider accessibility, cultural rights, ethical working conditions, and intellectual property principles where relevant.

Step 6: Submit the Application

Complete the application using the applicable programme requirements and provide all requested supporting documentation before the relevant deadline.

Tips for a Strong Application

Applicants can strengthen their proposals by:

Selecting an international opportunity that directly relates to their artistic practice.
Clearly explaining why international participation is necessary.
Identifying specific professional outcomes.
Demonstrating opportunities for networking or collaboration.
Explaining how the activity can increase international visibility.
Providing accurate information about the host event or organisation.
Considering accessibility and inclusion.
Demonstrating respect for artistic freedom and intellectual property rights.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

Applying without demonstrating eligibility.
Selecting an international event with little connection to their artistic practice.
Providing vague explanations of expected benefits.
Failing to explain the professional value of international participation.
Ignoring accessibility and cultural rights considerations.
Providing incomplete information about the international host or activity.
Overlooking ethical working conditions or intellectual property considerations.
Treating international participation simply as travel rather than as a meaningful artistic or professional opportunity.

Key Details at a Glance

Programme: International Participation Scheme
Country: Malta
Main purpose: International artistic and cultural participation
Target applicants: Maltese and Malta-based artists and cultural operators
Supported activities: Festivals, exhibitions, shows, films, conferences, networking events, residencies, international fairs, and related cultural activities
Eligible individuals: Maltese citizens and eligible Malta-based creative professionals and artists
Eligible organisations: Malta Business Registry entities, groups, collectives, consortia, registered cooperatives, and eligible voluntary organisations
Key principles: Cultural rights, inclusion, artistic freedom, accessibility, decent working conditions, ethics, and intellectual property rights

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the International Participation Scheme?

The International Participation Scheme supports Maltese and Malta-based artists and cultural operators to present their work internationally and participate in global cultural and creative activities.

Who can apply for the scheme?

Eligible applicants include Maltese citizens, eligible Malta-based individuals and creative professionals, as well as qualifying organisations, groups, collectives, consortia, cooperatives, and voluntary organisations.

What international activities can be supported?

The scheme can support participation in activities such as festivals, exhibitions, shows, films, conferences, networking events, artist residencies, and international fairs.

Can organisations apply?

Yes. Eligible organisational applicants can include entities registered with the Malta Business Registry, registered cooperatives, qualifying voluntary organisations, groups, collectives, and consortia.

Why is international participation important for artists?

International participation can help artists expand their audiences, develop professional skills, establish international partnerships, exchange knowledge, and increase the visibility of their artistic work.

What cultural principles should applicants consider?

Applicants are encouraged to consider the Right to Culture – Resource Pack and the Charter for the Status of Artists, particularly principles relating to inclusion, cultural rights, artistic freedom, accessibility, decent working conditions, ethical standards, and intellectual property.

What should a strong application demonstrate?

A strong application should clearly connect the proposed international activity with the applicant’s artistic or cultural practice and explain the expected benefits in terms of artistic development, international exposure, networking, collaboration, and professional growth.

Conclusion

The International Participation Scheme provides an important pathway for Maltese and Malta-based artists and cultural operators to engage with the international arts and cultural sector. By supporting participation in festivals, exhibitions, residencies, conferences, fairs, performances, and other international activities, the scheme encourages artistic mobility, professional development, cultural exchange, and international collaboration.

Applicants should focus on demonstrating a clear connection between the proposed opportunity and their artistic practice while considering cultural rights, inclusion, accessibility, ethical working conditions, artistic freedom, and intellectual property.