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1. Synergies between public policies and programmes

2. Partnerships between the culture and creative sectors, youth organisations and youth workers

Synergies between public policies and programmes

The Kreattiv funding programme promotes collaboration between educators, students and creative practitioners by integrating artistic and cultural activities within formal education settings. The programme aims to foster creativity, encourage cultural participation, and introduce young people to career pathways in the cultural and creative sectors, while also strengthening links between education and industry. Public funding for this programme is provided through national cultural budgets managed by Arts Council Malta.

Synergies between culture and other sectors are also reflected in the memorandum of understanding between Arts Council Malta and the Malta Council for Science and Technology (MCST), which promotes interdisciplinary collaboration between the arts, science and technology. Through this framework, initiatives such as exhibitions, mentoring and networking opportunities are developed, including collaboration with Esplora Interactive Science Centre.

In addition, Il-Premju tal-President għall-Kreattività, managed by the Office of the President in collaboration with Arts Council Malta, supports creative projects targeting vulnerable and disadvantaged groups, thereby linking cultural participation with social inclusion objectives.

Further cross-sectoral cooperation is evident in collaborations between Arts Council Malta and Malta Enterprise, which aim to support young creatives through information sessions and access to funding schemes, addressing skills development, entrepreneurship and financial sustainability within the creative sector.

Aġenzija Żgħażagħ also contributes to these synergies through a number of initiatives.  

FeġġXarti is a visual arts programme for emerging artists in Malta, implemented by Aġenzija Żgħażagħ in collaboration with Spazju Kreattiv. The programme supports young artists in developing critically engaged and process-based work through a framework that emphasises experimentation, research and artistic exploration. Through workshops, mentorship, dialogue and peer learning, it provides a space for participants to test ideas, take conceptual risks and position their practice within a broader collaborative and creative context, in line with the objectives of the National Youth Policy.

It-Taħriġ Mużikali taż-Żghażagh fil-Każini tal-Banda is a project managed by Aġenzija Żgħażagħ  with the support of Għaqda Każini tal-Banda that offers financial assistance to band clubs to develop initiatives to bring more people into the teaching of music or to improve facilities which teach music.

Artivisti is a collaboration between Aġenzija Żgħażagħ and the Arts Council Malta and is intended to be a development platform for youth collaboration in the creative world.  Artivisti is designed to recognize the talent of emerging young people in creative and artistic field, and to foster their potential, creativity, talent, initiative and social responsibility.

Taħżiż is a programme managed Aġenzija Żgħażagħ and the Għaqda tal-Malti of the University of Malta. Taħżiż creates an opportunity for young writers between 18 and 30 years old to participate in a series of three intensive residential seminars on creative writing. At the end of the program have performed work during the seminars publication.

Chiasmus and Kjażmu are literary projects in English and Maltese respectively launched by Aġenzija Żgħażagħ aimed at young people aged 16 to 25 to develop their writing skills and publish their work. 

The Malta Youth Film Festival (MYFF) is an annual event in Malta designed to showcase and celebrate short films created by young filmmakers aged 16 to 30. Organized by Aġenzija Żgħażagħ and the Malta Film Foundation, it provides a platform for creative expression across various genres, including animation, drama, and documentary.

Songcraft is a mentorship programme and collaborative project between Aġenzija Żgħażagħ and Spazju Kreattiv that helps young, aspiring singer-songwriters aged 14–20 develop their creative skills. Participants receive professional training in songwriting, music creation, and live performance from established artists, culminating in a live showcase concert.

ideARTI is a project-based, collaborative initiative in Malta designed to support and empower young creatives aged 18 to 30. It is run by Aġenzija Żgħażagħ in collaboration with the Mikiel Anton Vassalli College – Malta School of Art.

The Konkors tal-Letteratura għaż-Żgħażagħ (Literature for Young People Contest) is an annual Maltese writing competition organized by Aġenzija Żgħażagħ and the National Book Council. It aims to encourage, reward, and publish original Maltese literature tailored for adolescents aged 13 to 18, focusing on themes relevant to their lives.

The ŻiguŻajg International Arts Festival for Children and Young People, organised by Fondazzjoni Kreattività further strengthens the link between culture, education and youth policy by promoting access to high-quality artistic experiences for younger audiences.

Partnerships between the culture and creative sectors, youth organisations and youth workers

Partnerships between cultural stakeholders, youth organisations and youth workers in Malta are supported through funding schemes and collaborative initiatives led by public authorities, particularly Arts Council Malta.

The Creative Communities fund is a key initiative that supports voluntary organisations and community groups in developing cultural and artistic projects. It aims to increase participation in cultural activities at local level, foster collaboration between community actors and cultural practitioners, and promote cultural diversity and social inclusion. The fund supports activities such as informal training programmes, research on cultural identity, and community-based artistic productions and exhibitions. Public funding is allocated through national cultural budgets.

In addition, initiatives led by Aġenzija Żgħażagħ—such as Artivisti, Divergent Thinkers, and Taħżiż—actively foster partnerships between young people, youth workers, artists and cultural institutions. These initiatives provide platforms for co-creation, peer learning and professional development, while strengthening links between the youth sector and the wider cultural and creative industries.

Through these combined efforts, national authorities support a coordinated approach that connects youth work, cultural participation and creative industries, enabling young people to actively engage in cultural life and develop their creative potential.