Prime Minister Robert Abela on Thursday pledged continued investment in Malta's festa culture and voluntary sector, promising less bureaucracy, more financial assistance and stronger support structures if the Labour Party is re-elected.

Speaking during a press conference in Marsaskala as part of the Labour Party's electoral campaign, Abela said the government had already invested €30 million in the Maltese festa sector, an intervention which he said saved 15 musical societies from eviction.

He said this support would continue in the coming years so that revenue generated by band clubs could be reinvested into other major projects undertaken by musical societies.

Among the proposals announced, Abela said a future Labour government would support the renovation and maintenance of the premises of the Malta Band Clubs Association in Floriana, while also equipping the building to better serve the organisation's administrative work.

The Prime Minister also promised to simplify permit procedures linked to festas, social activities organised by feast associations and fireworks displays, arguing that voluntary organisations should not be burdened with excessive bureaucracy.

Abela said that, following consultations with voluntary organisations, the government had finalised a draft law aimed at strengthening the legislative framework regulating the voluntary sector. The parliamentary process on the bill, he said, would begin early in the next legislature.

The proposed changes would introduce different categories for voluntary organisations, simplify reporting obligations and provide support tailored to each organisation's needs. He added that the Office of the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations would continue to develop into a central interface through which organisations could submit documentation without repeating the same process with different authorities.

On infrastructure, Abela said the government would continue helping organisations secure premises from which to operate. Organisations using government property would continue benefiting from lower rental rates and assistance in consolidating their titles, while those operating from private premises would be eligible for financial aid to help cover rental or property purchase costs.

The Prime Minister also announced that incentives on water and electricity bills, currently available to organisations working in disability and animal welfare sectors, would be extended to all voluntary organisations. Additional assistance would also be provided for the installation of renewable energy systems.

Abela said new arrangements would allow public service employees to work with voluntary organisations for a number of days rather than on a full-time basis, while private companies would be encouraged to adopt similar schemes as part of their corporate social responsibility programmes.

He also pledged stronger support for youth volunteering abroad through improved incentives under the Youth Volunteer Overseas scheme, including an increase in daily allowances to €30 in addition to travel assistance.

Other measures announced included training and financial assistance for NGOs applying for European Union funds, health and safety training for volunteers, and OHSA assistance for organisations carrying out risk assessments for major projects.

He also spoke about a wider package of measures aimed at strengthening long-term support for people with disabilities and their carers. He said the proposals form part of a broader effort to improve dignity, independence and access to services for individuals and families who rely on ongoing support.

At the centre of the plan is the extension of free therapy services for children and young people with disabilities up to the age of 18, ensuring consistent access to professional support without financial pressure on families. This would be followed by an annual financial assistance scheme of €1,000 for therapy for people aged between 18 and 23, designed to help young adults continue receiving the care they need while transitioning into adulthood.

For adults with disabilities, the proposals include a more personalised system of support payments, worked out by professionals according to individual circumstances and the level of income required to live with dignity. Rather than a uniform approach, the aim is to align assistance more closely with real-life needs.

Other measures include a €20,000 grant for first-time homebuyers with disabilities to support independent living, an increase in carers' leave by five days with greater flexibility in how it can be used, and a rise in the carers' grant to the level of the national minimum wage, recognising the role of unpaid carers and their daily contribution to families.