Nearly Quarter Of A Million Euro To Fund 39 Community Projects
A total of 39 community projects aimed at promoting inclusion, volunteering and participation across Malta and Gozo will receive €236,948.44 in funding through the More Inclusive Communities Scheme for 2026.
Commitment letters were distributed to the voluntary organisations selected to benefit from the scheme, which will support initiatives across various sectors, including disability and accessibility, sport, health and wellbeing, youth, active ageing, culture, education, safety and environmental protection.
The letters were presented by Minister for Inclusion and Volunteering Julia Farrugia and Permanent Secretary within the Ministry Stephanie Rocco.
Among the funded initiatives is a programme by the Down Syndrome Association Malta that uses swimming and reading to develop life skills, alongside the creation of safe spaces for autistic people by the Inspire Foundation and an accessible community gym by the Birżebbuġa Sports Foundation.
Other projects include a first aid and emergency response initiative by the Malta Rescue Corps in Gozo, as well as volunteering opportunities for young people through the Duke of Edinburgh International Award Malta Foundation.
The funding will also support horse-assisted activities, nature-based learning, sailing experiences for young people, sensory sessions and accessible climbing initiatives for people with different abilities.
Further projects will focus on walking football for active ageing, intergenerational activities and accessibility improvements in community spaces, including automatic doors, accessible sanitary facilities and preparations for lift installations.
Cultural and musical organisations will also receive support to preserve local heritage, improve their facilities and encourage wider participation in their activities.
Applications for the scheme underwent a detailed evaluation process, with proposals assessed according to their eligibility, alignment with the scheme’s objectives, organisational capacity, sustainability and involvement of beneficiaries.
Budgets and quotations were also reviewed to ensure public funds were allocated transparently and provided value for money. Each project could receive up to €10,000.
The projects must be completed within one year, between 1 September 2026 and 31 August 2027.
Minister Julia Farrugia said the investment represented direct support for people and communities, allowing voluntary organisations to turn ideas into projects that create new opportunities for participation.
The More Inclusive Communities Scheme aims to promote volunteering in local communities and strengthen a culture of inclusion. Eligible projects were required to align with either the National Strategy on the Rights of Persons with Disability or the National Volunteering Strategy.
This is the third consecutive year of the scheme, with funding increasing from €148,256.60 in 2024 to €192,870.70 in 2025 and €236,948.44 in 2026. Across three years, the scheme has invested €578,075.74 in initiatives supporting inclusion and volunteering.
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