Din l-Art Ħelwa, National Trust for Malta was formally presented with the European Union and Europa Nostra Award 2026 winning the overall Grand Prix in the 'Heritage Champions' category at a ceremony in Nicosia, Cyprus, on Thursday 28 May 2026. The 'Heritage Champions' category honours individuals and organisations that have made an exemplary contribution to heritage protection through sustained commitment, leadership and public engagement.
The award, one of Europe's most distinguished heritage accolades, recognised Din l-Art Ħelwa's six decades of voluntary dedication to the protection, restoration, and advocacy of Malta's cultural and natural heritage. Since its founding in 1965, the organisation has restored over sixty national monuments and works of art, campaigned for landmark heritage legislation, and currently holds eighteen sites in guardianship - from medieval chapels and coastal towers, to a lighthouse and historic cemeteries and gardens.
Patrick Calleja, Executive President of Din l-Art Ħelwa, presented the organisation's work to the Summit audience during the Excellence Day proceedings. Simone Mizzi, former Executive President, long‑standing Council member and daughter of Din l-Art Ħelwa's founder Judge Maurice Caruana Curran, received the award on behalf of the organisation at the official ceremony.
Speaking after the ceremony, Patrick Calleja said "This recognition from Europa Nostra is a tribute to every volunteer, member and supporter who, for sixty years, refused to stand by while our heritage was neglected or threatened. I was proud to share our story in Nicosia and deeply moved to see Simone Mizzi, whose own contribution to Din l-Art Ħelwa and Malta has been extraordinary, accept this honour on behalf of us all."
Simone Mizzi added "Din l-Art Ħelwa has always believed that heritage is not about the past alone - it is about community, continuity and the courage to act. My father believed strongly that ordinary citizens, volunteers, could safeguard Malta's heritage''
This Heritage Champions Award belongs to all those volunteers who have come before us and given their time freely to the protection of Malta's heritage and the environment. It is also the right moment to thank those generous supporters who made our work possible over the last sixty years.'
Held in the presence of H.E the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Nico Christodoulides, the award ceremony was the centre piece of the European Cultural Heritage Summit 2026 (26-30 May), hosted in Nicosia under the motto "Heritage as the Soul of Mare Nostrum" and under the patronage of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
The European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards are co‑funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union.