On this page

Forthcoming policy developments

From the Entrepreneurial perspective, the Malta College for Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST) has in place the Malta Entrepreneurship Center (MEC) which was launched in 2014 with the aim of providing MCAST students and alumni with the opportunity to transform their creative and innovative ideas into profitable and sustainable business ventures. A number of alumni have been provided not only with a space where they can develop their start-up business ideas, but are also being mentored throughout their experiential learning endeavour. The center is also being utilised to host adhoc entrepreneurship activities for students and interested individuals.

It is also pertinent to note that MCAST has also consolidated the entrepreneurship-related tuition that students receive. Indeed, Entrepreneurship has been introduced as a key skill at across the Foundation, Technical and University Colleges. Students are not only receiving knowledge in relation to the typical operations of an enterprise but are also being trained to think like an entrepreneur and foster an entrepreneurial mindset. They are encouraged to turn their ideas to business proposals which are subsequently evaluated. Promising ideas are nurtured and developed further within the MEC.

Ongoing debates

A national committee coordinated by the Office of the Prime Minister has been set up to design a new initiative aimed at empowering 16- and 17-year-olds to establish their own businesses in Malta. The committee brings together representatives from Aġenzija Żgħażagħ, Malta Enterprise, the Malta Business Registry, Inland Revenue, and JA Malta, ensuring a whole-of-government and youth-focused approach.

The initiative seeks to address a legal and practical gap faced by young people who show entrepreneurial potential before reaching the age of 18. In particular, it responds to challenges identified among students completing the JA Malta secondary school programmes, where promising business ideas may stall due to age-related legal limitations. As a result, some viable youth-led enterprises risk being lost during the transition to adulthood.

The proposed platform will provide structured support to young entrepreneurs, including tailored training, one-to-one mentorship, and ongoing guidance from a youth worker. This holistic support system aims to equip young people not only with business knowledge, but also with the personal and social skills required to navigate entrepreneurship responsibly.

By enabling minors to formally set up and develop businesses in a supported environment, the initiative aims to foster early entrepreneurial engagement, encourage innovation, and strengthen pathways from education to enterprise for young people in Malta.