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1. Main inclusive youth-work programmes and target groups

Aġenzija Żgħażagħ has a number of youth work programmes that focus on social inclusion. 

• Probation and parole

• Disability Forum

• Sapport

• Youth.inc

• Youth Cafes

• Detached work

Main inclusive youth-work programmes and target groups

There are a number of youth work programmes delivered towards vulnerable young people. These are the Youth.Inc Programme, Youth Cafés, Youth Café for young people with down syndrome, Youth Café for young LGBTI+, Detached Youth Work Programme, Youth Work in Youth Hubs, Youth Work Programmes in Schools, and Intercultural Week for young people.    

The Youth.Inc Programme targets young people between 16 and 21 years old and not in Education Employment or Training. The programme is designed in a way to up-skill young people to facilitate their engagement in further education, training or employment.  The Youth.Inc Programme has an annual budget of €400,000.

Youth Cafes cater mainly for young people between 14 and 20 years of age and at risk of poverty. The programme strives to create inclusive and tolerant spaces in the heart of the community. The Youth Café Programme has an annual budget of €30,000.

The Detached Youth Work Programme targets young people between 15 and 25 years of age at risk of social exclusion. The Detached Youth Work Programme has an annual budget of €30,000.

The Youth Work in Youth Hubs programme targets post-secondary students aged between 16 and 20 years of age who are attending Foundation Classes (MQF Levels 1 and 2) and the Pathway to Independence Programme, a programme designed to give life skills to young people with different learning difficulties. The Youth Hubs Programme has an annual budget of €150,000.

The Youth Work in Schools programme targets 13 to 16 year old students with challenging behaviour. The Youth Work in Schools has an annual budget of €120,000.

Young people who participate in these programmes do not have direct involvement in the design and delivery of these programmes.

Aġenzija Żgħażagħ in collaboration with the Down Syndrome Association also started providing a Youth Café service once a week in the Youth Village in St Venera. The young people attending work with the youth workers present to organise a number of events and activities.

Aġenzija Żgħażagħ also collaborated with LGBTI+ Gozo and MGRM`s Rainbow Youth Support Service to run a youth hub service at the Youth Village. Young LGBTI+ people meet up with a youth worker in the youth hub for a youth work or youth information session twice a month in Malta and in Gozo.

Life is a 10-week programme supporting young people with challenging behaviour. It was delivered in schools including St. Margaret College Cospicua Girls Learning Support Centre, St. Margaret College Fortini Boys’ Learning Support Centre, and St. Thomas More College Learning Support Centre. Youth workers supported eight students, helping them develop positive coping skills and manage challenges.

Aġenzija Żgħażagħ delivered an 8-week programme for young people on probation. The aim was to provide structure and a sense of belonging. After identifying participants’ needs, the programme was adapted to focus on practical, hands-on activities in collaboration with organisations such as Malta Police Academy, Restorative Justice Malta, and Armed Forces of Malta.

In 2024, Aġenzija Żgħażagħ together with Sapport Agency (Aġenzija Sapport) delivered Safer, a programme about responsible social media use. Participants explored online safety, healthy engagement, bullying, phishing, and fake news. The sessions helped young people build digital awareness and critical thinking skills.

In 2024, Aġenzija Żgħażagħ and Sapport Agency (Aġenzija Sapport) delivered Take a Stand, a four-session anti-bullying programme. Held at Sliema Day Centre and Mtarfa Day Centre, it encouraged young people to reflect on bullying, build empathy, and promote respect and inclusion.