The National Cultural Policy (NCP 2021) prioritises participation, development of cultural rights, cultural socialisation and cultural inclusion, taking into consideration various social groups including senior citizens. Importantly, during a year in which provisions for arts education were reduced in the state primary sector in Malta due to the ongoing pandemic, the policy also ‘reaffirms the principle that access to cultural education is a cultural right’ and advocates for stronger partnerships between schools, artists and cultural institutions.
Apart from its objective of making access to cultural activities and education in the arts available to all children in schools, research has reflected on the NCP 2021’s position striving to increase cultural access by ensuring ‘that everyone, whoever they are, irrespective of sex, racial or ethnic origin, age, disability, sexual orientation or religious belief, and from whichever walk of life they set out from, has access to culture and the arts, and the benefits and wellbeing they generate.’
Social inclusion has been highlighted by the Regional Cultural Strategies 2022 – 2027 targeting regional cultural development.
Government has launched a strategy to facilitate the integration of non-Maltese into Maltese society. The Integration Strategy and Action Plan for 2025 to 2030 was launched by the parliamentary secretariat for reforms and equality, following a public consultation in 2023. The new strategy considers demographic changes since the 2017 strategy. Among the 41 measures outlined is the restructuring and reform of the national integration strategy named I Belong. The programme is being expanded to start the integration process before non-Maltese arrive in Malta, and more educational institutions are to participate.
The strategy aims to strengthen the Human Rights Directorate’s mandate, raise awareness of the benefits of integration and diversity, and provide reliable, up-to-date information on key aspects of integration. It is being financed by both national and EU funds, costing around €6 million. The strategy should be complementing the 2025 labour migration policy.
African Media Association Malta is active in promoting the engagement of African migrants to Malta across various generations with the local context in terms of different communities on the Island, including traditional, local ones and their cultural expressions, as well as economic and social realities.
Cross Culture International Foundation (CCIF) enhances cross-cultural communication within diverse communities living in Malta through intergenerational, intercultural, interracial and interreligious dialogue. The foundation builds cultural harmony, understanding and wellbeing of citizens through cultural and artistic expressions as a means of promoting solidarity and social cohesion. It spearheads interventions aimed at enhancing cross-cultural communication and exchange programmes. It provides training on cultural issues, improves intercultural interactions and fosters cultural partnerships with other NGOs in the same field.
Refugee Week is a growing global movement whose purpose is to amplify voices and celebrate the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees through the arts, community and cultural activity. Refugee Week Malta is a grassroots festival produced by Dance Beyond Borders, a duo collective led by Julienne Schembri and Deborah Falzon aimed at creating, facilitating and producing dance opportunities for people to embrace their diverse stories and unite through dance and the arts. The festival has been endorsed by Counterpoints Arts, the coordinators of Refugee Week UK, and is supported by: Arts Council Malta; Association for Justice, Equality and Peace; Medina Asset Management, Risk Cap International Ltd and Team Humanity Norway.
These actions take place in relation to general integration efforts and various initiatives promoting social inclusion. There are also embryonic cultural enterprises in Malta that address social access, inclusion, and solidarity through partnerships in the cultural sector. While social enterprises do not exist due to pending legal implementation, a few ventures do operate in ways that may be identified with this definition.
Outside the cultural and creative sectors, there are several reports and strategies focused on social inclusion in Malta that still impinge on the sector. One key document is the National Strategy for Poverty Reduction and Social Inclusion 2025-2035, which outlines various initiatives and policies aimed at addressing poverty and promoting social inclusion. This strategy includes detailed analyses and recommendations on issues such as affordable housing, education, and support for disadvantaged groups.
Another important document has been the National Strategic Policy for Poverty Reduction and Social Inclusion 2014-2024, which provided a long-term strategic direction for tackling poverty and social exclusion through a participatory and partnership approach.
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