The Planning Authority has launched the Reġjun Tramuntana phase of the Irrestawra Darek u l-Villaġġ scheme, a heritage regeneration grant initiative aimed at restoring historic buildings and village streetscapes within Urban Conservation Areas.
With a budget of €3.5 million, this phase follows successful monthly regional rollouts since January 2026, part of a €32 million nationwide investment. The holistic scheme allows residential properties, commercial establishments, and registered NGOs to participate, targeting entire streetscapes rather than just isolated façades.
The scheme is open to owners or ground tenants of eligible properties located within UCAs in the Reġjun Tramuntana localities, which include Mellieħa, Mġarr, Mosta, Naxxar, St Paul's Bay, Attard, and Balzan. Funding covers 100% of eligible costs, including craftsmanship, materials, and equipment hire.
Eligible interventions include maintenance, restoration, and replacement works to façades of heritage buildings, as well as façade, internal, and garden elements for scheduled buildings. Funding caps are set at up to €15,000 for heritage buildings within UCAs, up to €100,000 for Grade 1 scheduled buildings, and up to €50,000 for Grade 2 scheduled buildings. In cases of scheduled buildings with multiple ownership, individual owners can qualify for up to €15,000 each, while joint applications for a holistic restoration can qualify for the full capped amount.
The application process is implemented in two phases. Phase 1 is the Expression of Interest, which opens on 20 May 2026 at 10:30 and closes on 27 May 2026 at 10:30. These must be submitted either online via the Planning Authority website or in person at the Authority's Front Desk in Malta or Gozo. Late submissions will not be accepted.
Successful applicants will then be invited to Phase 2, where a registered Perit must submit a detailed request for funding through the Planning Authority's eApps system. This submission must include site plans, photographs, method statements, and bills of quantities. Grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, and expressions of interest are processed in the exact order they are received. The Planning Authority reserves the right to close the scheme early once the allocated budget is fully committed.
Beyond physical conservation, the scheme delivers social, environmental, and economic benefits by promoting adaptive reuse, reducing construction waste, and creating skilled employment in traditional restoration techniques. Executive Chairman Johann Buttigieg highlighted that the scheme is an investment in safeguarding the identity and character of historic villages while supporting residents, businesses, and communities to collectively enhance the urban fabric.