The "Empowering Children's Participation in Malta" project, is an initiative which aims to foster meaningful involvement from children and young people in national policymaking. This project is being implemented by the Ministry for Social Policy and Children’s Rights (MSPC) in collaboration with the University College Cork (UCC) and the Commissioner for Children (CFC), Malta.

The Empowering Children App is the first national-level digital platform that provides a safe and inclusive space for children, including young people aged 13-18 years, to share their thoughts on governmental decisions. This initiative recognizes the fundamental right of young people to have their voices heard and taken into account in all matters affecting them. Through the app, young people can access child-friendly versions of public documents and consultations, making complex policy information more accessible and understandable. 

A key feature of the Empowering Children App is the ability for young people aged 13-18 years to provide feedback in various formats, such as written text, drawings, or audio recordings. This diverse range of input methods ensures that all young people, regardless of their communication preferences, can engage meaningfully. Additionally, the app includes a dedicated chat service providing professional support to vulnerable young people experiencing social exclusion, abuse, neglect, or psychological difficulties. 

The project also focuses on building the capacity of policymakers to integrate children and young people’s participation in decision-making. A central element of this effort is the creation of a Child Policy Evaluation Toolkit, designed to guide policymakers in evaluating and improving child and youth participation. This toolkit may also serve as a model for other countries seeking to enhance youth engagement. 

Raising awareness about the right of young people aged 13-18 years to be heard is another vital component of the project. Through educational campaigns, the initiative seeks to inform not only young people but also policymakers, educators, and parents about the importance of youth participation. This helps foster a culture where young people's opinions are valued and considered in the policymaking process.