1.8 Cross-border cooperation
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Cooperation with European countries
A collaboration programme between Italy and Malta came into effect in 2014. This collaboration programme promoted cooperation between universities and higher education institutions of culture.
International cooperation
In September 2022 the Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs in collaboration with Agenzija Zghazagh organised the 1st Virtual Youth Forum for Maltese Living Abroad with the theme: I want to Connect: Maltese Language, Culture and Identity.
The event was part of the Ministry’s strategy for Malta’s foreign policy and aimed to enhance the vision of a Global Malta amongst young Maltese living abroad. Following messages by the President of Malta, the Prime Minister and the Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade respectively, young Maltese participants from around the world were invited to share their ideas and aspirations about the future of Malta in 3 breakout sessions.
Young Maltese people from the diaspora, living in places such as the United States, Japan, Turkey, Australia and Europe had the opportunity to engage with each other and with youth workers in a number of sessions that facilitated a connection with their Maltese heritage.
Following this first initiative the Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs is in discussion to start holding this meeting annually. This should be creating the opportunity for Maltese young people living in Malta and those living abroad to interact.
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Malta and Ghana in the field of Youth and Sports in 2023 for a period of 5 years.
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Malta and Qatar in the field of Youth and Sports in 2021 for a period of 5 years.
Aġenzija Żgħażagħ represents Malta on the Council of Europe CDEJ which coordinates and promotes youth related issues among Member States and where the policy focus is on young people's access to fundamental human and social rights. Aġenzija Żgħażagħ has also been proactive in promoting the Council of Europe's No Hate Speech Campaign and in the Youth Mobility Platform.
Aġenzija Żgħażagħ represents Malta in cooperating with the Partnership between European Commission and the Council of Europe in organising seminars and projects that aim to promote European cooperation in the youth field and in contributing to the Partnership's Youth Knowledge publication on the History of youth work in Europe and in working with the European Knowledge Centre for Youth Policy (EKCYP) in building the research base on youth related issues.
Aġenzija Żgħażagħ represents Malta in cooperation initiatives under the Commonwealth Youth Programme and in promoting the Commonwealth Plan of Action for Youth Empowerment its strategic policy framework, the Commonwealth Youth Civil Activism Network and initiatives to professionalise the youth work sector
Aġenzija Żgħażagħ is a member of European Youth Information and Counselling Agency (ERYICA) a non-profit association and network of members and affiliated organisations working in 31 countries that provide young people with general information under the principles of the European Youth Information Charter.
Aġenzija Żgħażagħ is a member of the European Youth Card Association which comprises 38 organisations in 36 different countries across Europe. Over 4 million young people make use of the card annually. Karta Żgħażagħ is available for free in Malta to young people aged from 13 to 30 years and offers discounts on a wide range of products and services relating to culture, travel, accommodation, shopping and other services that are of interest to young people.