The National Cultural Policy (2021) calls for “strengthen[ing] cross-sectoral policies through an inter-ministerial cultural policy framework.” There is no standing inter-ministerial committee, but cooperation operates on a policy- and project-basis across several axes.
National–local coordination. Prior to the June 2026 general election, the Local Government Division within the culture ministry coordinated with regional and local councils on cultural matters, including the design and implementation of the Regional Cultural Strategies 2022–2027 (see 1.2.3) and the Region of Culture programme. Regular meetings between regional presidents, local-council representatives and Ministry officials underpin this coordination. Following the June 2026 restructuring, this coordination now operates across two separate ministries.
Public–civil society cooperation. ACM’s State of the Arts – Malta National Symposium provided an annual platform for public-sector agencies and independent operators to discuss policy direction (2022-2024). The Sectoral Representative Working Group (SRWG), established in January 2025, brings together sector representatives to advise on policies, measures and initiatives affecting the cultural and creative sectors at national level.
Cross-sector and international integration. Malta Vision 2050 explicitly references cultural heritage and the arts as components of local community development. EU and Council of Europe cultural programmes — Creative Europe, Erasmus+, and Council of Europe heritage instruments — require cross-sector cooperation between cultural authorities, education, environment and planning bodies. The Creative Europe Desk Malta hosted by ACM facilitates participation in these programmes.
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