Our national youth policy, Towards 2030 - Reaching out to, working with, and supporting young people, focuses on two related themes: ensuring that the interests and well-being of young people are kept at the centre, and that policy is effectively implemented - that it is not just words, but actions.

While Aġenzija Żgħażagħ - the national youth agency - is responsible for overseeing and implementing the national youth policy, the government has and continues to be proactive in providing the necessary underpinning supports.

Budget measures that make a difference

Budget measures are fundamental in ensuring the necessary financial supports. In the 2025 Budget, student stipends were increased pro rata as per the cost of living, and university students reading for "General" courses receive €115 every four weeks, for "Prescribed" courses €196 and for "High Priority" courses €384.

Government scholarships have also been expanded. Six schemes worth €8 million have been launched in 2025, co-financed by the EU. These include Malta Arts, Malta Sports, TESS (Levels 7-8), Endeavour II (Masters/PhD), Reach High II (post-doctoral), and Live the Language (11 to 21-year-olds). In all, over €36 million has been invested in recent years - a clear demonstration of the Government's commitment to long-term and guaranteed support for young people.

Free public transport for students, cuts in everyday costs for young people and supports for greener mobility through personalised Tallinja cards have also been introduced. The Youth Fitness Support Scheme provides for six months of free gym membership for 18 to 20 year-olds, with over 12,000 eligible participants and €2 million in public investment.

These are just some of the investments being made to ensure that youth policy is not just words, but real actions that support young people in real time and in real places.

Aġenzija Żgħażagħ at the Heart of Youth Engagement

Aġenzija Żgħażagħ plays a central role in delivering projects, programmes and initiatives for young people.

Through its Youth Hubs, Life Skills Labs, Youth.inc programme, civic and arts programmes, Eurodesk services, and support to youth organisations, Aġenzija Żgħażagħ gives young people an accessible entry point to a wide range of projects and activities. The Agency also holds a national Quality Label for service standards which demonstrates a practical and realistic approach in delivering quality services and supports for young people day by day.

Listening to and supporting the voices of young people, raising awareness among them about issues that affect their daily lives, and providing youth information are also key features of our national youth policy. This is achieved through the Youth Information One Stop Shop (YIOSS), an official website, as well as through social media and initiatives such as Youth Worker Online, which facilitate ongoing physical and digital engagement with young people.

Bridging formal and non-formal education

The increasing cooperation between Aġenzija Żgħażagħ and schools and other educational institutions, particularly in civic education and personal and social skills development, is further strengthening the links between formal education and non-formal learning - for the mutual benefit and reinforcement of both.

Cross-sectoral and European opportunities

Underlying this development is the number and scope of cross-sectoral initiatives now underway. Aġenzija Żgħażagħ partners or cooperates annually with almost 50 government ministries, state entities, NGOs and CSOs, ensuring a truly cross-sectoral approach in addressing the needs and aspirations of young people.

A wide range of cross-sectoral programmes, projects and initiatives in the visual arts, music, literature, photography, broadcasting, filmmaking, lifestyles, entrepreneurship, environment, and citizenship continue to be built upon.

Support for voluntary youth organisations under the national youth policy has also substantially increased. In 2022, voluntary youth organisations registered with Aġenzija Żgħażagħ received over €100,000 in financial supports. By 2023, this figure increased fourfold to over €400,000.

This broad and varied approach is also evidenced in the number of young people being reached. Young people in Malta, on over 75,000 occasions annually, directly participate in or benefit from Aġenzija Żgħażagħ's programmes, projects, initiatives, financial supports, facilities and services, in addition to over 1 million visits to its online platforms and website.

The European dimension adds both reach and resources. Erasmus+ remains the backbone for youth mobility, non-formal learning and training. The European Solidarity Corps (ESC) funds volunteering and solidarity projects that develop practical skills - project management, teamwork, languages - while also contributing to communities.

Commitment, consistency, and a clear vision

This mix of national policy, budget measures, agency delivery, and EU opportunities produces cumulative benefits and opportunities for young people: affordability, access to quality learning, well-being, transversal skills and pathways to Europe. It is a practical living ecosystem that continues to be developed and expanded - not just words or aspirations, but real every-day practical supports and services.

There is always more to be done. There is no quick-fix or easy solution to the many challenges confronting young people in today's Europe. What the Government provides is commitment, consistency and investment in young people. It follows through on its promises and continuously seeks to focus, direct and hone its investment in the generations that will shape Malta's future.

Miriam Teuma is CEO Aġenzija Żgħażagħ